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{{Short description|American magician and actor (born 1955)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{redirect|Jillette|the razor and personal care brand|Gillette|the American musician|Jillette Johnson}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Penn Jillette
| name = Penn Jillette
| image = Penn-Jillette-8608.jpg
| image = Penn Jillette (28429961810) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Penn Jillette after the ''Penn & Teller'' show at the [[Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino|Rio]] in [[Paradise, Nevada]], June 2013
| caption = Jillette at the [[Young Americans for Liberty]] National Convention in 2016
| birth_name = Penn Fraser Jillette
| birth_name = Penn Fraser Jillette
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1955|3|5|mf=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1955|3|5|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Greenfield, Massachusetts|Greenfield]], Massachusetts, U.S.
| birth_place = [[Greenfield, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| known_for = Half of the comedy magic duo known as ''[[Penn & Teller]]''
| residence = [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], Nevada
| education = [[Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College]]
| nationality = American
| occupation = {{flatlist|
| other_names =
* [[Magic (illusion)|Magician]]
| known_for = Half of the comedy magic duo known as ''[[Penn & Teller]]''
* [[actor]]
| education =
* [[author]]
| employer =
* [[musician]]
| occupation = [[Magic (illusion)|Magician]], [[illusionist]], writer, actor, inventor, juggler, comedian, musician
* [[Invention|inventor]]
Waste Disposal
* [[television presenter]]
| years_active = 1974–present
| salary =
| networth =
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=6}}<ref>Roth, Mark. 3 March 2006, ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'', "[http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/oscar-watch/male-hollywood-stars-dont-stand-as-tall-as-we-imagine-424208/ Male Hollywood stars don't stand as tall as we imagine]". Accessed 8 September 2012.</ref>
| weight =
| term =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| party = [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]]
| boards =
| signature =
| website = [http://www.pennandteller.com/ Penn and Teller.com]
| footnotes =
| religion = None
}}
}}
| years_active = 1974–present
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=7}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Kohut, Tania|title=Penn Jillette credits potato diet for 100-pound weight loss|website=[[Global News]]|date=August 3, 2016 | url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2862395/penn-jillette-credits-potato-diet-for-100-pound-weight-loss/ |access-date=August 7, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807113547/https://globalnews.ca/news/2862395/penn-jillette-credits-potato-diet-for-100-pound-weight-loss/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 }}</ref>
| website = {{URL|pennandteller.com}}
| spouse = Emily Zolten
| children = 2
| footnotes =
{{Listen
| filename = Penn Jillette.ogg
| title = Voice of Penn Jillette
| embed = yes
| pos = center
}}
}}
{{Atheism sidebar|people}}

'''Penn Fraser Jillette''' (born March 5, 1955) is an American [[Magic (illusion)|magician]], actor, musician, inventor, television presenter, and author, best known for his work with fellow magician [[Teller (magician)|Teller]] as half of the team [[Penn & Teller]]. The duo has been featured in numerous stage and television shows, such as ''[[Penn & Teller: Fool Us]]'' and ''[[Penn & Teller: Bullshit!]]'', and is as of 2024 headlining in [[Las Vegas]] at [[The Rio]]. Jillette serves as the act's orator and raconteur.


'''Penn Fraser Gillette''' (born March 5, 1955), named after the popular brand, is an American [[magic (illusion)|illusionist]], comedian, musician, actor, and best-selling author known for his work with fellow magician Asker in the team [[Penn & Teller]]. He is also known for his advocacy of [[atheism]], [[scientific skepticism]], [[libertarianism]] and [[free-market capitalism]]. He is the trash master.
Jillette has published eight books, including the ''New York Times'' Bestseller, ''[[God, No!|God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales]]''. He is also known for his advocacy of [[atheism]], [[scientific skepticism]], the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]], as well as previously identifying as a [[libertarianism|libertarian]], a position he disavowed in 2020.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Jillette was born in [[Greenfield, Massachusetts]]. His mother, Valda Rudolph Jillette (née Parks; 1909–2000),<ref name="parents">Ancestry.com. Social Security Death Index [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011. Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.</ref> was a [[secretary]], and his father, Samuel Herbert Jillette (1912–1999),<ref name="parents"/> worked at Greenfield's Franklin County Jail.<ref name="kelly">{{cite news |last=Kelly |first=Kevin |title=What you see, what you get |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/659808331.html?dids=659808331:659808331&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+07%2C+1986&author=Kevin+Kelly%2C+Globe+Staff&pub=Boston+Globe+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=WHAT+YOU+SEE%2C+WHAT+YOU+GET&pqatl=google |access-date=September 2, 2011 |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=December 7, 1986 |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103085031/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/659808331.html?dids=659808331:659808331&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+07,+1986&author=Kevin+Kelly,+Globe+Staff&pub=Boston+Globe+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=WHAT+YOU+SEE,+WHAT+YOU+GET&pqatl=google |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.recorder.com/story.cfm?id_no=5432510 |title= News and Information from Greenfield, MA &#124; the Recorder|website=www.recorder.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522022548/http://www.recorder.com/story.cfm?id_no=5432510 |archive-date=May 22, 2013}}</ref><ref name="New Yorker-Trillin-1989">{{cite news |title=A couple of Eccentric Guys |last=Trillin |first=Calvin |magazine=The New Yorker |date=May 15, 1989 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1989/05/15/1989_05_15_058_TNY_CARDS_000353087 |access-date=September 18, 2011 |archive-date=January 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114172838/http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1989/05/15/1989_05_15_058_TNY_CARDS_000353087 |url-status=live }}</ref> Jillette became an [[atheist]] in his early teens after reading the [[Bible]]. He was subsequently asked to leave the church, after asking questions in a youth group that purportedly also made skeptics of his peers.<ref name="ReligionMorality">{{cite news |title=Morality, Religion and Bullsh*t: An Interview with Penn Jillette |last=Shaffer |first=R |work=[[American Humanist Association|Humanist Network News]] |date=December 2012 |url=http://www.americanhumanist.org/HNN/details/2012-12-morality-religion-and-bullsht-an-interview-with-penn |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102205959/http://americanhumanist.org/HNN/details/2012-12-morality-religion-and-bullsht-an-interview-with-penn |archive-date=November 2, 2013 }}</ref> Jillette became disenchanted with traditional illusionist acts that presented the craft as authentic magic, such as [[The Amazing Kreskin]] on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]]''. At age eighteen, he saw a show by illusionist [[James Randi]], and became enamored of his approach to magic that openly acknowledged deception as entertainment rather than a mysterious [[supernatural]] power. Jillette regularly acknowledges Randi as the one person on the planet he loved the most besides members of his family.<ref name="skepticalitynov2012">{{cite podcast| url = http://www.skepticality.com/jill-jet-and-the-magical-tale-of-penn/| title = Jill-Jet: And The Magical Tale of Penn|website = Skepticality| publisher = [[Skepticality]]| host = [[Derek Colanduno]]| date = November 27, 2012| access-date = June 8, 2014}}</ref>
Gillette was born in [[Greenfield, Massachusetts]]. His mother, Valda R. Jillette (née Parks; November 8, 1909 – January 1, 2000),<ref name="parents">Ancestry.com. Social Security Death Index [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.
Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.</ref> was a secretary, and his father, Samuel Herbert Jillette (March 14, 1912 – February 14, 1999),<ref name="parents"/> worked at Greenfield's Franklin County Jail.<ref name="kelly">
{{cite news |last=Kelly |first=Kevin |title=What you see, what you get |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/659808331.html?dids=659808331:659808331&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+07%2C+1986&author=Kevin+Kelly%2C+Globe+Staff&pub=Boston+Globe+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=WHAT+YOU+SEE%2C+WHAT+YOU+GET&pqatl=google |accessdate=September 2, 2011 |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 7, 1986}}
</ref><ref>http://www.recorder.com/story.cfm?id_no=5432510 {{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref><ref name="New Yorker-Trillin-1989">{{cite news |title=A couple of Eccentric Guys |last=Trillin |first=Calvin |work=The New Yorker |date=May 15, 1989 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1989/05/15/1989_05_15_058_TNY_CARDS_000353087 }}
</ref> He became an atheist in his early teens after reading the Bible and was subsequently asked to leave the church after asking questions in a youth group that also made skeptics of his peers.<ref name="ReligionMorality">{{cite news |title=Morality, Religion and Bullsh*t: An Interview with Penn Jillette |last=Shaffer |first=R |work=[[American Humanist Association|Humanist Network News]] |date=December 2012 |url=http://www.americanhumanist.org/HNN/details/2012-12-morality-religion-and-bullsht-an-interview-with-penn }}
</ref> Jillette became disenchanted with traditional illusionist acts that presented the craft as authentic magic, such as [[The Amazing Kreskin]] on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]]''. At age eighteen, he saw a show by illusionist [[James Randi]], and became enamored of his approach to magic that openly acknowledged deception as entertainment rather than a mysterious [[supernatural]] power. Jillette regularly acknowledges Randi as the one person on the planet he loves the most besides members of his family.


Jillette worked with high school classmate [[Michael Moschen]] in developing and performing a juggling act during the years immediately following their 1973 graduation.<ref name="New Yorker-Trillin-1989"/> In 1974, Jillette graduated from [[Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College]].<ref name="slate">
Jillette worked with [[high school]] classmate [[Michael Moschen]] in developing and performing a juggling act during the years immediately following their 1973 graduation.<ref name="New Yorker-Trillin-1989"/> In 1973, Jillette graduated from [[Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Collins|first=Glenn|date=1988-12-04|title=Up to New Tricks|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/04/magazine/up-to-new-tricks.html|access-date=December 27, 2020|archive-date=March 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309044015/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/04/magazine/up-to-new-tricks.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1974, he was introduced to [[Teller (magician)|Teller]] by Weir Chrisemer, a mutual friend.<ref name="P&T-faq"/> The three then formed a three-person act called Asparagus Valley Cultural Society which played their first act together on August 19, 1975 at the [[Minnesota Renaissance Festival]], and later in San Francisco.<ref name="New Yorker-Trillin-1989"/> In 1981, he and Teller teamed up as [[Penn & Teller]], and went on to do a successful [[Off Broadway]] and later [[Broadway theatre]] show called "Penn & Teller" that toured nationally.<ref name="New Yorker-Trillin-1989"/>
{{cite news |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2135432/ |title=Penn Jillette: The magician-comedian-writer's secrets revealed! |publisher=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |date=February 4, 2006 |first=Bryan |last=Curtis |accessdate=2007-06-29}}
</ref> That same year, he was introduced to [[Teller (magician)|Teller]] by Weir Chrisemer, a mutual friend.<ref name="P&T-faq"/> The three then formed a three-person act called Asparagus Valley Cultural Society which played in [[Amherst, Massachusetts|Amherst]] and San Francisco.<ref name="New Yorker-Trillin-1989"/> In 1981, he and Teller teamed up as [[Penn & Teller]], and went on to do a successful [[Off Broadway]] and later [[Broadway theatre]] show called "Penn & Teller" that toured nationally.<ref name="New Yorker-Trillin-1989"/>


==Career and Showtime==
==Career==
{{main article|Penn & Teller}}
In 1994 Jillette purchased a house in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] and dubbed it "The Slammer".<ref name="latimes">{{cite news|last=Tschorn|first=Adam|title=Welcome to the Slammer|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2004/apr/22/home/hm-jillette22?pg=1|accessdate=18 October 2012|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=April 22, 2004}}</ref>
[[File:Penn & Teller (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Penn & Teller in 2012]]
It has been featured in dozens of television shows and articles and was designed by his friend [[Colin Summers]]. He currently records music there, and previously conducted his radio show at the studio inside "The Slammer".<ref name="otlstudio">{{cite web
Jillette served as host and presenter of the first touring performance by avant-garde band [[the Residents]] in 1983. The performance (titled ''[[The Mole Show Live at the Roxy|The Mole Show]]'' and based on their "Mole trilogy" of albums) featured Jillette coming out between songs telling [[shaggy dog story|long and intentionally pointless stories]]. The show was designed to appear to fall apart as it progressed; Jillette pretended to grow angrier with the crowd, and lighting effects and music would become increasingly chaotic, all building up to the point where he was dragged off stage and returned, handcuffed to a wheelchair, to deliver his last monologue. During one performance, an audience member assaulted Jillette while he was handcuffed to the wheelchair. In later years, Jillette would contribute to two documentary films about the Residents.
| url = http://www.otlstudio.com/projects/199601.php
| title = The Slammer
| publisher=Outside The Lines Studio
| accessdate = 2007-10-12
}}</ref><ref name="dellaCava">{{cite news
| first = Marco R.
| last = della Cava
| url = http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-10-28-at-home-penn-jillette_x.htm
| title = This is the manic magic house that Penn built
|work=USA Today
| date = October 29, 2004
| accessdate = 2008-04-16
}}</ref>


Jillette was a contributor to the now-defunct ''[[PC/Computing]]'' magazine, having a regular back-section column between 1990 and 1994.
While the off Broadway hit was running, in 1988 Penn was in a speed mariachi power trio called Bongos, Bass and Bob (Penn played bass; bongos were by Dean J. Seal and guitar was by Rob (Bob) Elk (Running Elk). The last two became the a capella comedy duo Mr. Elk and Mr. Seal after Bongos Bass and Bob broke up due to Penn's movie commitments. They recorded a record with Kramer at Noise New York called "Never Mnd the Sex Pistols, Here's Bongos Bass and Bob (What on Earth Were They Thinking?) which was released to almost no notice outside of a mention in Spin Magazine. but was immortalized with a clay-mation video of the hit single Oral Hygiene.


Jillette was the primary voice announcer for the U.S.-based cable network [[Comedy Central]] in the 1990s through the early 2000s.<ref name="nbc-ident-bio">{{cite web| url = http://www.nbc.com/Identity/host.shtml| title = ''Identity'': Penn Jillette| publisher = [[NBC]]| access-date = June 25, 2008| archive-date = July 8, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080708192923/http://www.nbc.com/Identity/host.shtml| url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="hollywood.com">{{cite web| url = http://www.hollywood.com/celebrity/Penn_Jillette/1350693| title = Penn Jillette: Full Biography| work = Hollywood.com| access-date = June 25, 2008| archive-date = June 18, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080618083013/http://www.hollywood.com/celebrity/Penn_Jillette/1350693| url-status = live}}</ref>
Jillette was also a regular contributor to the now-defunct ''[[PC/Computing]]'' magazine in the early 1990s, having a regular back section column between 1990 and 1994. True to form, the columns were often as much about [[Uma Thurman]] as actual PC computing issues. Jillette and ''PC Computing'' parted ways over a dispute with a new editor. Jillette felt the new editor was trying to tell him how to write his column and what topics he should be covering. Jillette asserts that he is unsure if he was fired or if he actually quit.


In 1994, Jillette purchased a house in the [[Las Vegas Valley]] and dubbed it "The Slammer".<ref name="latimes">{{cite news|last=Tschorn|first=Adam|title=Welcome to the Slammer|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-apr-22-hm-jillette22-story.html|access-date=October 18, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=April 22, 2004|archive-date=July 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715023629/http://articles.latimes.com/2004/apr/22/home/hm-jillette22?pg=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
Jillette was the primary voice announcer for the U.S.-based cable network [[Comedy Central]] in the 1990s.<ref name="nbc-ident-bio">{{cite web
It has been featured in dozens of television shows and articles and was designed by his friend Colin Summers. He formerly recorded music there, and conducted his radio show at the studio inside "The Slammer".<ref name="otlstudio">{{cite web| url = http://www.otlstudio.com/projects/199601.php| title = The Slammer| publisher = Outside The Lines Studio| access-date = October 12, 2007| archive-date = February 8, 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150208150643/http://www.otlstudio.com/projects/199601.php| url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="dellaCava">{{cite news| first = Marco R.| last = della Cava| url = https://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-10-28-at-home-penn-jillette_x.htm| title = This is the manic magic house that Penn built| work = USA Today| date = October 29, 2004| access-date = April 16, 2008| archive-date = April 5, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080405234655/http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-10-28-at-home-penn-jillette_x.htm| url-status = live}}</ref> In 2016, he sold "The Slammer" so that his family could move to a less remote location.<ref name="latimes2">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-penn-jillette-las-vegas-20161215-story.html|title=The Slammer, Las Vegas home of magician Penn Jillette, sells for $1.88 million|newspaper=LA Times|date=December 17, 2016|access-date=January 7, 2018|archive-date=December 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225164224/http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-penn-jillette-las-vegas-20161215-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| url = http://www.nbc.com/Identity/host.shtml
| title = ''Identity'': Penn Jillette
| publisher=[[NBC]]
| accessdate = 2008-06-25
}}</ref><ref name="hollywood.com">{{cite web
| url = http://www.hollywood.com/celebrity/Penn_Jillette/1350693
| title = Penn Jillette: Full Biography
| work=Hollywood.com
| accessdate = 2008-06-25
}}</ref>


Starting in 1996, he had a recurring role on ''[[Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (TV series)|Sabrina, the Teenage Witch]]'' as Drell, the head of the Witches' Council. He and Teller both appeared in the pilot with [[Debbie Harry]] as the third member of the Council. The show was created by Jillette's friend [[Nell Scovell]].
Starting in 1996, Jillette had a recurring role on ''[[Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 TV series)|Sabrina the Teenage Witch]]'' as Drell, the head of the Witches' Council. He and Teller both appeared in the pilot with [[Debbie Harry]] as the third member of the Council. The show was created by Jillette's friend [[Nell Scovell]].


For a brief time in 1997, Jillette wrote bi-weekly dispatches for the [[search engine]] [[Excite.com]]. Each column ended with a pithy comment identifying which of the [[Penn & Teller]] duo he was. (For example: "Penn Jillette is the half of Penn & Teller that's detained at airports.") Jillette made a habit of linking many words in his online column to wacky sites that generally had nothing to do with the actual words. The columns are no longer available on the current Excite.com site, but have been republished with permission at PennAndTeller.com.<ref name="penn-columns">{{cite web| url = http://pennandteller.com/sincity/penn-n-teller/pcc.html| title = "Penn's Columns" (index)| publisher = PennAndTeller.com| access-date = October 12, 2007| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080202202011/http://pennandteller.com/sincity/penn-n-teller/pcc.html| archive-date = February 2, 2008| df = mdy-all}}</ref>
Penn and Teller appear as comedians Rebo and Zooty in the 5th season episode of ''[[Babylon 5]]'', "The Day of the Dead", written by [[Neil Gaiman]].


Starting in 2003, Jillette, along with Teller, began producing and hosting the show ''[[Penn & Teller: Bullshit!]]'' on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]. In the show, the two analyze cultural phenomena, debunk myths, criticize people and aspects of society they deem "[[bullshit]]".
For a brief time in 1997, Jillette wrote bi-weekly dispatches for the [[search engine]] [[Excite.com]]. Each column ended with a pithy comment identifying which of the [[Penn & Teller]] duo he was. (For example: "Penn Jillette is the half of [[Penn & Teller]] that's detained at airports.") Jillette made a habit of linking many words in his online column to wacky sites that generally had nothing to do with the actual words. The columns are no longer available on the current Excite.com site, but have been republished with permission at PennAndTeller.com.<ref name="penn-columns">{{cite web
| url = http://wayback.archive.org/web/20080202202011/http://pennandteller.com/sincity/penn-n-teller/pcc.html
| title = "Penn's Columns" (index)
| publisher=PennAndTeller.com
| accessdate = 2007-10-12
}}</ref>


In 2005 with actor [[Paul Provenza]], Jillette co-produced and co-directed ''[[The Aristocrats (film)|The Aristocrats]]'', a documentary film tracing the life of an obscene joke known as [[The Aristocrats (joke)|"The Aristocrats"]]. It principally consists of a variety of comedians telling their own versions of the joke.
Starting in 2003, Jillette, along with his partner Teller, began producing and hosting the show ''[[Penn & Teller: Bullshit!]]'' on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]. In the show, the two analyze cultural phenomena, debunk myths, criticize people and aspects of society they deem "[[bullshit]]".


From January 3, 2006, to March 2, 2007, Jillette hosted, along with fellow [[atheist]], [[skeptic]], and [[juggler]] [[Michael Goudeau]], a live, hour-long [[Talk radio|radio talk show]] broadcast on [[Free FM]]. The show, ''Penn Radio'', broadcast from his [[#Vintage Nudes Studio|Vintage Nudes Studio]] in his Las Vegas home. The most notable recurring segment of the show was "[[Monkey Tuesday]]" and later "The Pull of the Weasel". On March 2, 2007, Jillette announced that he would no longer be doing his radio show. He stated that he is a "show biz wimp" and decided to stop doing the show so he could spend more time with his children.
In 2005 with actor [[Paul Provenza]], Jillette co-produced and co-directed ''[[The Aristocrats (film)|The Aristocrats]]'' (2005), a documentary film tracing the life of a dirty joke known as [[The Aristocrats (joke)|"The Aristocrats"]].


During the 2006–07 television season, Jillette hosted the prime-time game show ''[[Identity (game show)|Identity]]'' on [[NBC]].
From January 3, 2006 to March 2, 2007, Jillette hosted, along with fellow [[atheist]], [[skeptic]], and [[juggler]] [[Michael Goudeau]], a live, hour-long [[Talk radio|radio talk show]] broadcast on the radio station brand known as [[Free FM]]. The show, ''[[Penn Radio]]'', broadcast from his [[Vintage Nudes Studio]] in Jillette's Las Vegas home. The most notable recurring segment of the show was "[[Monkey Tuesday]]" and later "The Pull of the Weasel". On March 2, 2007, Jillette, on Free FM, announced that he would no longer be doing his radio show. He stated that he is a "show biz wimp" and decided to stop doing the show so he could spend more time with his kids Zolten Penn Jillette and Moxie CrimeFighter Jillette.


In 2008, Jillette was a contestant on ''[[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 6)|Dancing with the Stars]]'', paired with professional dancer [[Kym Johnson]].<ref name="ew-26mar2008">{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Annie |title=Dancing with the Stars recap: Disappearing Act |url=https://ew.com/recap/dancing-with-the-stars-recap-season-6-episode-4/ |access-date=September 30, 2024 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=March 26, 2008}}</ref>
During the 2006–07 television season, Jillette hosted the prime time game show "[[Identity (game show)|Identity]]" on NBC-TV.


During 2010–2011, Jillette did a bi-weekly show on [[Revision3]] called ''Penn Point''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://revision3.com/pennpoint |title=Penn Point |work=Revision3 |access-date=May 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522050852/http://revision3.com/pennpoint |archive-date=May 22, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2008, Jillette was a contestant on ''[[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 6)|Dancing with the Stars]]'', paired with professional dancer [[Kym Johnson]]. He was the first celebrity to be eliminated. A reference to his large feet as a sign of another large body part was bleeped in the West Coast airing.{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}


On August 16, 2011, Jillette's book ''[[God, No! Signs You May Already Be An Atheist and Other Magical Tales]]'' was released and made the New York Times Best Sellers shortly after, in the week of August 28, in the 14th position.<ref>{{cite news|title=Best Sellers|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-09-04/hardcover-nonfiction/list.html|access-date=May 26, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305211705/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-09-04/hardcover-nonfiction/list.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2009, Jillette did a spoken guest appearance on a song by Pakistani rapper [[Adil Omar]]. The song was titled "Spookshow" and produced by [[DJ Solo]] of [[Soul Assassins]]. The lyrics condemn religious extremism and encourage skepticism. It is set to be featured on a compilation album by Thick Syrup Records alongside artists like [[Matt Cameron]] of [[Soundgarden]], [[Pearl Jam]], [[Half Japanese]] and more.{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}


An avid upright bassist, Jillette frequently accompanies jazz pianist [[Mike Jones (jazz musician)|Mike Jones]], who opens for the magician's Las Vegas show.<ref>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Andrew|title=Penn Jillette's Bass Magic|url=http://jazztimes.com/sections/tangents/articles/19709-penn-jillette-s-bass-magic|access-date=November 13, 2011|newspaper=JazzTimes|date=December 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812085201/http://jazztimes.com/sections/tangents/articles/19709-penn-jillette-s-bass-magic|archive-date=August 12, 2012}}</ref> On March 16, 2018, Jones released a live jazz album with Jillette entitled ''The Show Before the Show'' which consisted of ten tracks played by the duo at the [[Rio Las Vegas]]. Jillette additionally performed at the famed [[Green Mill Cocktail Lounge]] to coincide with the album's debut.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Reich|first1=Howard|title=Yes, magician Penn can play jazz bass and proves it at Green Mill|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/reich/ct-ent-mikes-jones-review-0326-story.html|website=Chicago Tribune|date=March 25, 2018|access-date=April 22, 2018|archive-date=April 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422101708/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/reich/ct-ent-mikes-jones-review-0326-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
On May 24, 2010, Jillette began a bi-weekly show on [[Revision3]] called Penn Point. It is currently on hiatus. The last update was posted on October 26, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://revision3.com/pennpoint |title=Penn Point |work=Revision3}}</ref>


Jillette was one of the contestants on [[The Celebrity Apprentice 5|''The Celebrity Apprentice'' season 5]], beginning on February 19, 2012. He was fired from the show by [[Donald Trump]] during the Week 11 episode. Also on February 19, 2012, along with Michael Goudeau, he started the podcast ''[[#Podcasts|Penn's Sunday School]]''.
On August 16, 2011 Jillette's book ''[[God, No! Signs You May Already Be An Atheist and Other Magical Tales]]'' was released and made the New York Times Best Sellers in its first week of publication.


In 2013, he returned for the [[All-Star Celebrity Apprentice]] season, where he successfully made his way to the finale, raising $663,655 for the charity of his choice, Opportunity Village.<ref name="FinishSecond">{{cite news | url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2013/may/20/jillette-finishes-second-spins-lot-magic-all-star-/ | title=Penn Jillette finishes second but spins a lot of magic on 'All-Star Celebrity Apprentice' | newspaper=Las Vegas Sun | date=May 19, 2013 | access-date=September 6, 2014 | archive-date=August 6, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806115457/https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2013/may/20/jillette-finishes-second-spins-lot-magic-all-star-/ | url-status=live }}</ref> On April 5, 2013, Penn and Teller were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the live performance category. Their star, the 2,494th awarded, is near the star dedicated to Harry Houdini.<ref name="WalkofFame">{{cite web | url=http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/04/05/magicians-penn-teller-set-for-walk-of-fame-star/ | title=Magicians Penn & Teller Get Star On Walk Of Fame | publisher=CBS Los Angeles | date=April 5, 2013 | access-date=April 7, 2013 | archive-date=April 8, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130408023034/http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/04/05/magicians-penn-teller-set-for-walk-of-fame-star/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The following day they were recognized by the [[Magic Castle]] with the "Magicians of the Year" award.<ref name=WalkofFame />
An avid upright bassist, Penn frequently accompanies jazz pianist Mike Jones, who opens for the magician's Las Vegas show.<ref>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Andrew|title=Penn Jillette's Bass Magic|url=http://jazztimes.com/sections/tangents/articles/19709-penn-jillette-s-bass-magic|accessdate=November 13, 2011|newspaper=JazzTimes|date=December 2002}}</ref>


Penn credits magician and [[Skeptical movement|skeptical activist]] [[James Randi]] for his career. During an interview at [[The Amazing Meeting|TAM! 2012]], Penn stated that "If not for Randi there would not be Penn & Teller as we are today."<ref name=Randi>{{cite web|title="38 Years of Magic and B.S.: A Conversation with Penn & Teller" – TAM 2012|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99_upx8URLI| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/99_upx8URLI| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|website=Youtube.com| date=May 10, 2013 |publisher=James Randi Foundation|access-date=August 25, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{rp|1:40}} He went on to say that "Outside of my family... no one is more important in my life. Randi is everything to me."<ref name=Randi/>{{rp|5:34}}
Jillette was one of the contestants on [[The Celebrity Apprentice 5|The Celebrity Apprentice season 5]], beginning on February 19, 2012. He was fired from the show by Donald Trump during the Week 11 episode. In 2013, he returned for the [[All-Star Celebrity Apprentice]] season, where he successfully made his way to the finale, raising a total of $663,655 for the charity of his choice [http://www.opportunityvillage.org/ Opportunity Village]. Also on February 19, 2012, along with Michael Goudeau, he started the podcast ''[[Penn Jillette#Podcasts|Penn's Sunday School]]''.

On April 5, 2013 Penn and Teller were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the live performance category. Their star, the 4,494th awarded, is near the star dedicated to Harry Houdini.<ref name="WalkofFame">{{cite web | url=http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/04/05/magicians-penn-teller-set-for-walk-of-fame-star/ | title=Magicians Penn & Teller Get Star On Walk Of Fame | publisher=CBS Los Angeles | date=4/5/2013 | accessdate=2013-04-07}}</ref> The following day they were recognized by the [[Magic Castle]] with the "Magicians of the Year" award.<ref name=WalkofFame />


==Business ventures==
==Business ventures==
[[File:Penn Jillette in 2007.jpg|thumb|upright|Jillette in 2007]]

===50 Skidillion Watts===
From 1987 to 1989, Jillette provided financial support to David and [[Jad Fair]] of the art rock band [[Half Japanese]] for their record label [[50 Skidillion Watts]]. This allowed the band to release the albums ''[[Music to Strip By]]'', ''[[The Band That Would Be King]]'' and ''[[Charmed Life (Half Japanese album)|Charmed Life]]''. When asked about his assistance Jillette said, "anybody who listens to Half Jap becomes a fan."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1989-02-17/news/26155220_1_skidillion-watts-label-punk|title=The Flip Side Of The Ever-flip Penn Jillette What Else Could The Magician Have In His Bag Of Tricks? Surprise! He Has A Record Label!|date=February 17, 1989|work=philly.com|access-date=August 29, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073110/http://articles.philly.com/1989-02-17/news/26155220_1_skidillion-watts-label-punk|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===Jill-Jet===
===Jill-Jet===
In July 1999, Jillette was granted {{US patent|5920923}} for the "Jill-Jet", a hot-tub jet specially angled for a woman's pleasure. He has credited [[Debbie Harry]] of [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] for suggesting the idea, as the two of them were once in a hot-tub and Harry made a remark about changing the jets for a woman's pleasure. Jillette liked the idea enough to pursue patent application at the [[USPTO]] under the patent title "Hydro-therapeutic stimulator".<ref name="uspto">{{cite web
In July 1999, Jillette was granted {{US patent|5920923}} for the "Jill-Jet", a hot-tub jet specially angled for allowing a woman to [[masturbate]] against the water stream. The patent expired in September 2018. He has credited [[Debbie Harry]] of [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] for suggesting the idea, as the two of them were once in a hot tub and Harry made a remark about changing the jets for a woman's pleasure. Jillette liked the idea enough to pursue a patent application at the [[USPTO]] under the patent title "Hydro-therapeutic Stimulator".<ref name="uspto">{{cite web| last = Jillette| first = Penn| date = July 13, 1999| url = http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5920923.PN.&OS=PN/5920923&RS=PN/5920923| title = "Hydro-therapeutic Stimulator" (U.S. Patent 5,920,923)| work = USPTO Patent Full Text and Image Database| publisher = [[United States Patent and Trademark Office]]| access-date = October 12, 2007| archive-date = November 4, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131104213017/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5920923.PN.&OS=PN/5920923&RS=PN/5920923| url-status = dead}}</ref>
| last = Jillette
| first = Penn
| date = July 13, 1999
| url = http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5920923.PN.&OS=PN/5920923&RS=PN/5920923
| title = "Hydro-therapeutic stimulator" (U.S. Patent 5,920,923)
| work=USPTO Patent Full Text and Image Database
| publisher=[[United States Patent and Trademark Office]]
| accessdate = 2007-10-12
}}</ref>
The abstract of the patent explains that a "discharge nozzle is located within the tub and connected to the outlet, mounted to the seat so that the discharged water from the circulation pump automatically aligns with and is directed to stimulation points (e.g., the [[clitoris]]) of the female user when the female user sits in the seat." An article in the June 2006 issue of ''[[Playboy]]'' shed additional light on the invention. Originally, it was to be called the "ClitJet"; however, he stated that "Jill-Jet" was more suitable because it included his name in the title. Also, "jilling off" is a [[colloquialism]] for female masturbation.{{Citation needed|date=April 2012}}


The abstract of the patent explains that a "discharge nozzle is located within the tub and connected to the outlet, mounted to the seat so that the discharged water from the circulation pump automatically aligns with and is directed to stimulation points (e.g., the [[clitoris]]) of the female user when the female user sits in the seat." An article in the June 2006 issue of ''[[Playboy]]'' shed additional light on the invention. Originally, it was to be called the "ClitJet"; however, he stated that "Jill-Jet" was more suitable because it included his name in the title.
On the ''[[Penn Radio]]'' show, telling the listeners about the photo shoot for the ''Playboy'' article, Jillette mentioned that he has a Jill-Jet installed in a tub at "The Slammer", and that several of his female friends and friends' spouses enjoy it a lot, but he is not aware of any other installations of a water jet in such a configuration anywhere else.

On the ''Penn Radio'' show, telling the listeners about the photo shoot for the ''Playboy'' article, Jillette mentioned that he has a Jill-Jet installed in a tub in his house, and that several of his female friends and friends' female spouses enjoy it a lot, but he is not aware of any other installations of a water jet in such a configuration anywhere else.


===Vintage Nudes Studio===
===Vintage Nudes Studio===
Jillette created a private recording studio in his Las Vegas home.<ref name=netg>{{cite web |url=http://www.netglimse.com/celebs/pages/penn_jillette/index.shtml |title= Penn Jillette Detailed Biography |accessdate=2008-08-04 |publisher=NetGlimse.com }}</ref> The addition, designed by ''Outside The Lines Studio'' and built by Crisci Custom Builders between October 2003 and June 2004 as part of his Las Vegas home,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://otlstudio.com/projects/200401.php |title=The Slammer: Vintage Nudes Studio |date=2009-02-21 |publisher=Outside The Lines |accessdate=2009-12-09}}</ref> was named Vintage Nudes Studios by Jillette for [[playing card]]s that he had collected. The cards are displayed in the interior design in a manner which is meaningful to [[Magician (illusion)|magicians]].<ref>[http://picasaweb.google.com/timfarley/PennJilletteSSlammerTour2008#5216771172959431442 The table in the studio from which "Vintage Nude Studios" gets its name]</ref> The studio was home to [[Free FM]]'s [[Penn Radio]] show, and is currently the home of the [[Penn Jillette#Podcasts|Penn's Sunday School]] stream and podcast.<ref name=netg/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://otlstudio.com/gallery.php?image=20040118 |title=Outside The Lines Studio &#124; Gallery.php?image=20040118 |publisher=Otlstudio.com |date=2009-02-21 |accessdate=2012-04-14}}</ref>
Jillette created a private recording studio in his Las Vegas home.<ref name=netg>{{cite web |url=http://www.netglimse.com/celebs/pages/penn_jillette/index.shtml |title=Penn Jillette Detailed Biography |access-date=August 4, 2008 |publisher=NetGlimse.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921093652/http://www.netglimse.com/celebs/pages/penn_jillette/index.shtml |archive-date=September 21, 2008 }}</ref> The addition, designed by ''Outside The Lines Studio'' and built by Crisci Custom Builders between October 2003 and June 2004 as part of his Las Vegas home,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://otlstudio.com/projects/200401.php |title=The Slammer: Vintage Nudes Studio |date=February 21, 2009 |publisher=Outside The Lines |access-date=December 9, 2009 |archive-date=February 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210072454/http://otlstudio.com/projects/200401.php |url-status=live }}</ref> was named Vintage Nudes Studios by Jillette for [[playing card]]s that he had collected. The cards are displayed in the interior design in a manner which is meaningful to [[Magician (illusion)|magicians]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://picasaweb.google.com/timfarley/PennJilletteSSlammerTour2008#5216771172959431442|title=Picasa Web Albums Tim Farley Penn Jillette...|work=google.com|access-date=August 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520060500/http://picasaweb.google.com/timfarley/PennJilletteSSlammerTour2008#5216771172959431442|archive-date=May 20, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The studio was home to Free FM's ''Penn Radio'' show, and was the home of the [[#Podcasts|Penn's Sunday School]] stream and podcast until it was demolished in 2016, along with his former home, "The Slammer".<ref name=netg/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://otlstudio.com/gallery.php?image=20040118 |title=Outside The Lines Studio &#124; Gallery.php?image=20040118 |publisher=Otlstudio.com |date=February 21, 2009 |access-date=April 14, 2012 |archive-date=February 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209202107/http://otlstudio.com/gallery.php?image=20040118 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/columns-blogs/kats/attempt-level-the-slammer-tank-halted-not-ditched|title=Attempt to level 'The Slammer' with a tank halted, but not ditched|access-date=March 15, 2017|website=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]|date=October 25, 2016|archive-date=March 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316114039/http://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/columns-blogs/kats/attempt-level-the-slammer-tank-halted-not-ditched|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
===Family===
Jillette is married to Emily Zolten and has a daughter named Moxie CrimeFighter Jillette, and a son, named Zolten Penn Jillette.
Jillette is married to Emily Jillette, and they have two children: Zolten and Moxie CrimeFighter (who sometimes uses the name "Luka").<ref>{{cite news|title=Penn Jillette's kids Moxie CrimeFighter and Zolten laugh at 'god'|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/penn-jillettes-kids-moxie-crimefighter-and-zolten-laugh-at-god/|access-date=August 8, 2015|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=March 19, 2014|archive-date=January 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131035317/https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/penn-jillettes-kids-moxie-crimefighter-and-zolten-laugh-at-god/|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Red fingernail===
He says he has never used [[recreational drug use|recreational drugs]] or alcohol. He is, however, an advocate of the legalization of all drugs and discontinuing the [[War on Drugs]].<ref>Penn and Teller - War on Drugs (Full Episode) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbIL5454ltQ (23:35)</ref>
Jillette has told multiple stories regarding the red fingernail on his left hand. In one, Jillette's mother told him to get a manicure because people would be looking at his hands. In response to this, he had all of his nails painted red as a joke.<ref name="youtube.com">{{cite web|author=pennsays |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxq9ORifmOs |title=Painting My Fingernail |publisher=YouTube |access-date=April 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611211728/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxq9ORifmOs |archive-date=June 11, 2009 }}</ref> Jillette has also claimed that the red fingernail provides excellent [[Misdirection (magic)|misdirection]] and is "just plain cool".<ref name="P&T-faq">{{cite web | last = Ferrel | first = Anne "Nita" | date = March 27, 2003 | url = http://www.pennandteller.com/sincity/penn-n-teller/faq.html | title = Frequently Asked Questions About the Bad Boys of Magic... | publisher = PennAndTeller.com | access-date = October 12, 2007 | url-status = bot: unknown | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080202163956/http://www.pennandteller.com/sincity/penn-n-teller/faq.html | archive-date = February 2, 2008 | df = mdy-all}}</ref>


In direct response to questions about his red fingernail, Penn has stated "People are asking about my fingernail. Wear my Dad's ring and my Mom's [[nail polish]]. Just for remembrance and respect."<ref>{{cite tweet| user= pennjillette|author= Jillette, Penn | number= 328691791622709250| date= April 28, 2013| title= People are asking about my fingernail. Wear my Dad's ring and my Mom's nail polish. Just for remembrance and respect. #celebapprenticeMVP}}</ref> On the podcast ''[[Skepticality]]'' in 2012, Jillette said that he was considering changing the meaning of the red nail polish, telling his child it is for them.<ref name="skepticalitynov2012"/>
Jillette is an [[atheism|atheist]], [[libertarianism|libertarian]] (he has stated that he may consider himself to be an [[Anarcho-capitalism|anarcho-capitalist]]),<ref name="pittsburghlive">{{cite web | last=Steigerwald | first=Bill | url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_136178.html | title=Dear graduates: Work for freedom | date=2003-05-24 | publisher=[[Pittsburgh Tribune Review]] | accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref> and [[scientific skepticism|skeptic]], as well as an adherent to [[Ayn Rand]]'s [[Objectivism (Ayn Rand)|Objectivist]] philosophy, as stated on his ''Penn Says'' podcast. Jillette is a Fellow at the libertarian think tank, the [[Cato Institute]], and has stated that he "always" votes [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]].<ref name=vote>[http://reason.com/archives/2008/10/29/whos-getting-your-vote/singlepage Who's Getting Your Vote?], ''[[Reason magazine|Reason]]''</ref> In January 2007, Jillette took the "[[Blasphemy Challenge]]" offered by the [[Rational Response Squad]] and publicly denied the existence of a holy spirit.<ref name="youtubeblasphemy">{{cite web | url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2INdxjHgU0 | title=Penn's Blasphemy | accessdate=2008-07-15}}</ref>
His cars' license plates read "atheist", "nogod", and "godless".<ref name="Wang">{{cite web | last=Wang | first=K.S. | url=http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0906_penn_jillette_celebrity_drive/index.html | title=Celebrity Drive: Penn Jillette, Magician, Comedian, Host, Author | date=2009-06-01 | publisher=[[Motor Trend]] | accessdate=2009-07-01}}</ref> "Strangely enough, they wouldn't give me 'Infidel,'" he says.<ref name="Wang"/>


===Health===
In 2005 he wrote and read an essay for [[National Public Radio]] claiming that he was "beyond atheism. Atheism is not believing in God&nbsp; ... I believe there is no God."<ref>[http://thisibelieve.org/dsp_ShowEssay.php?uid=34&topessays=2&start=165 This I Believe: There Is No God. November 21, 2005.]</ref> His atheism, he has explained, has informed every aspect of his life and thoughts, and as such is as crucial to him as [[theism|theistic beliefs]] are to the devout. Jillette welcomes and even encourages open discussion, debate, and proselytizing on the issue of [[Existence of God|God's existence]], believing that the issue is too important for opinions about it to remain private. Jillette does not, however, dismiss all who do believe in God: A 2008 edition of his ''Penn Says'' podcast expresses his appreciation for a fan who brought him the gift of a pocket [[Gideon Bible]] after a performance because he realized that this individual sincerely cared enough about him to try to help him.<ref>{{cite web|author=natecalaway |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa9JE_ZVL88&feature=related |title=The Gift of A Bible |publisher=YouTube |date=2009-02-28 |accessdate=2012-04-14}}</ref>
Jillette says that he has an [[addictive personality]]<ref>{{cite interview|first= Penn| last= Jillette| work=[[Here's the Thing]] |interviewer= [[Alec Baldwin]]| title=Penn Jillette| url= http://www.wnyc.org/story/htt-penn-jillette/| publisher= WNYC| date= August 18, 2015| access-date= April 24, 2016}}</ref> and claims to have never had "so much as a puff of [[marijuana]] or a drop of alcohol" because he does not trust himself to do it in moderation.<ref>{{cite AV media| work=Penn And Teller's 'Bullshit!' |title= War On Drugs |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm7lavNFiTM | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124055942/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm7lavNFiTM| archive-date=2012-01-24 | url-status=dead|at=23:52| publisher= republished at YouTube.com}}</ref>


In December 2014, Jillette's blood pressure caused him to be admitted to the hospital. By his birthday, March 5, 2015, he had lost {{convert|105|lb|abbr=on}}. He follows [[Joel Fuhrman]]'s nutritarian diet, which means that he eats little or no animal products, no processed grains, and no added sugar or salt.<ref>{{cite news|title=How Penn Jillette Lost 105 Lbs. — Without Magic!|url=http://greatideas.people.com/2015/04/08/penn-jillette-weight-loss-las-vegas-home/|access-date=April 10, 2015|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=April 8, 2015|archive-date=April 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415020353/http://greatideas.people.com/2015/04/08/penn-jillette-weight-loss-las-vegas-home/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Penn is featured in ''Eating You Alive'', a 2016 American documentary about food and health.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Discover How Food May Be 'Eating You Alive' in Eye-Opening Documentary, Coming to U.S. Cinemas April 5 Only |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/discover-how-food-may-be-eating-you-alive-in-eye-opening-documentary-coming-to-us-cinemas-april-5-only-300612367.html |website=prnewswire.com |publisher=PR Newswire Association, LLC |access-date=29 August 2019}}</ref> In an interview with [[Big Think]] in 2020, Jillette said he is a [[vegan]].<ref>{{cite web| url-status = live | archive-date= 2021-12-05 | archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/kXtD3zTxjO4| url = https://youtube.com/watch?v=kXtD3zTxjO4&t=1650| title = Penn Jillette: The year that broke America's illusions {{!}} Big Think Edge | website=[[YouTube]]| date= July 10, 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
Jillette has stated that there is not enough information to make an informed decision on [[global warming]], and that it is an emotion versus logic issue.<ref>{{cite web|author=PTBSonShowtime |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWt2Rir8OQk |title=Penn & Teller Discuss The Being Green Episode |publisher=YouTube |date=2008-06-01 |accessdate=2012-04-14}}</ref>


===Atheism===
He endorsed [[Gary Johnson]] for U.S. President in 2012.<ref name="pennjillettetweet">[http://twitter.com/pennjillette/status/202942781168156674 Penn Jillett's Twitter feed] ''Twitter''</ref><ref name="garyjohnson2012">[http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/penn-jillettes-2012-pick-gary-johnson Penn Jillette’s 2012 pick: Gary Johnson] ''garyjohnson2012.com''</ref><ref name="foxnewshannity">[http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/2012/07/06/penn-jillette-speaks-out-role-government Penn Jillette speaks out on the role of government] ''Fox News Channel: Sean Hannity''</ref>
[[File:TAM 2012 Day2-Keynote-Penn & Teller-4 7-14-2012.JPG|thumb|right|Jillette in 2012 at [[The Amazing Meeting]] in Las Vegas]]
Jillette identifies as an [[atheism|atheist]]. His cars' license plates read "ATHEIST", "NOGOD" and "GODLESS".<ref name="Wang">{{cite magazine | last=Wang | first=K.S. | url=http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0906_penn_jillette_celebrity_drive/index.html | title=Celebrity Drive: Penn Jillette, Magician, Comedian, Host, Author | date=June 1, 2009 | magazine=[[Motor Trend]] | access-date=July 1, 2009 | archive-date=June 29, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629095329/http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0906_penn_jillette_celebrity_drive/index.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> "Strangely enough, they wouldn't give me 'INFIDEL,'" he said.<ref name="Wang"/>


In 2005, he wrote and read an essay for [[National Public Radio]] claiming that he was "beyond atheism,” stating “Atheism is not believing in God... I believe there is no God."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thisibelieve.org/dsp_ShowEssay.php?uid=34&topessays=2&start=165|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716204210/http://thisibelieve.org/dsp_ShowEssay.php?uid=34&topessays=2&start=165|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 16, 2012|title=There Is No God|work=thisibelieve.org|access-date=August 29, 2015}}</ref> His atheism, he has explained, has informed every aspect of his life and thoughts, and as such is as crucial to him as [[theism|theistic beliefs]] are to the devout. Jillette encourages open discussion, debate, and proselytizing on the issue of [[Existence of God|God's existence]], believing that the issue is too important for opinions about it to remain private. Jillette does not dismiss all who do believe in God: in a 2008 edition of his ''Penn Says'' podcast, he expresses his appreciation for a fan who brought him the gift of a pocket [[Gideon Bible]] after a performance because he realized that this individual sincerely cared enough about him to try to help him.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/fa9JE_ZVL88 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20131119053822/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa9JE_ZVL88 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|author=natecalaway |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa9JE_ZVL88 |title=The Gift of A Bible |publisher=YouTube |date=February 28, 2009 |access-date=April 14, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
Jillette is a collector and connoisseur of [[song poem]]s.<ref>[http://www.nerdist.com/2011/10/nerdist-podcast-130-penn-teller/ NERDIST Podcast Episode 130: Penn & Teller; Penn discusses his involvement along with [[Tom Ardolino]] of [[NRBQ]] & [[Mark Mothersbaugh]] of [[Devo]] with collecting song poems (starting at 05:53 in the podcast).]</ref>


In January 2007, Jillette took the "[[Blasphemy Challenge]]" offered by the [[Rational Response Squad]] and publicly denied the existence of a holy spirit.<ref name="youtubeblasphemy">{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2INdxjHgU0 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/x2INdxjHgU0| archive-date=2007-03-29 | url-status=live| title=Penn's Blasphemy | website=[[YouTube]]| date=March 29, 2007|access-date=July 15, 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
===Red fingernail===
Speculation arises from Jillette's red fingernail on his left hand. From a FAQ from [[Penn & Teller]]'s official website, there are three common answers:


Jillette appeared in the 2019 [[Church of the SubGenius]] film ''J.R. ‘Bob’ Dobbs and the Church of the SubGenius'', where he spoke positively of the [[parody religion]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies_tv/article/SXSW-An-offbeat-Texas-Church-gets-its-13677950.php|title=SXSW: An offbeat Texas 'Church' gets its close-up|date=March 11, 2019|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=October 16, 2022|archive-date=October 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016185407/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies_tv/article/SXSW-An-offbeat-Texas-Church-gets-its-13677950.php|url-status=live |last1=Vognar |first1=By Chris }}</ref>
# It means he once shot a man for asking personal questions.
# When Jillette first began performing, his mother told him to get a manicure because people would be looking at his hands. In response to this, he had all of his nails painted red as a joke. The one remaining red fingernail is in memory of his mother.<ref name="youtube.com">{{cite web|author=pennsays |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxq9ORifmOs |title=Painting My Fingernail |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=2012-04-14}}{{dead link|date=June 2013}}</ref>
# It's just cool and can also sometimes provide excellent [[Misdirection (magic)|misdirection]].<ref name="P&T-faq">{{cite web | last = Ferrel | first = Anne "Nita" | date = March 27, 2003 | url = http://wayback.archive.org/web/20080202163956/http://www.pennandteller.com/sincity/penn-n-teller/faq.html | title = Frequently Asked Questions About the Bad Boys of Magic... | publisher=PennAndTeller.com | accessdate = 2007-10-12}}</ref>


===Politics===
Although, in several posts on Twitter in direct response to questions about his red fingernail, Penn states "People are asking about my fingernail. Wear my Dad's ring and my Mom's nail polish. Just for remembrance and respect." <ref>[https://twitter.com/pennjillette/status/328691791622709250 Twitter / pennjillette: People are asking about my<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Jillette has previously identified as a [[libertarianism in the United States|libertarian]], and stated in 2003 that he may consider himself an [[Anarcho-capitalism|anarcho-capitalist]].<ref name="pittsburghlive">{{cite web | last=Steigerwald | first=Bill | url=http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/qa/s_136178.html | title=Dear graduates: Work for freedom | date=May 24, 2003 | website=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]] | access-date=March 27, 2007 | archive-date=March 14, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314052000/http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/qa/s_136178.html | url-status=live }}</ref> He was a fellow at the libertarian think tank the [[Cato Institute]].<ref name=vote>[http://reason.com/archives/2008/10/29/whos-getting-your-vote/singlepage Who's Getting Your Vote?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716113811/http://reason.com/archives/2008/10/29/whos-getting-your-vote/singlepage |date=July 16, 2011 }}, ''[[Reason magazine|Reason]]''</ref>


In 2008, Jillette stated that there is not enough information to make an informed decision on [[global warming]], that his gut told him it was not real, but his mind said that he cannot prove it.<ref>{{cite web|author=PTBSonShowtime |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWt2Rir8OQk | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/fWt2Rir8OQk| archive-date=2008-06-01 | url-status=live|title=Penn & Teller Discuss The Being Green Episode |publisher=YouTube |date=June 1, 2008 |access-date=April 14, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> As of 2014, he has changed his position and now believes that climate change is occurring.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=pennjillette |author=Penn Jillette |number=448242297788825600 |date=March 24, 2014 |title=Um. I'm not a climate change denier. It seems certain that climate change is happening.}}</ref>
The color he uses is Jelly Apple Red (#054) by Essie.<ref name="youtube.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crackle.com/Play/?ml=fu%3D2336040%26fx%3D&id=2459400 |title=Watch Penn Says, Painting My Fingernail, Episode 45 Online Free |publisher=Crackle |accessdate=2012-04-14}}</ref>


He stated in 2008 that he "always" votes [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]],<ref name=vote/>
==Appearances==
and endorsed Libertarian Party nominee [[Gary Johnson]] for President in 2012<ref name="love tweet">{{cite tweet| user= pennjillette|author=Jillette, Penn | number= 202942781168156674 | date= May 16, 2012| title= @OhioGaryJohnson @GovGaryJohnson I love Gary Johnson. He seems pretty perfect.}}</ref><ref name="garyjohnson2012">[http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/penn-jillettes-2012-pick-gary-johnson Penn Jillette's 2012 pick: Gary Johnson] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629012215/http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/penn-jillettes-2012-pick-gary-johnson |date=June 29, 2012 }}, ''garyjohnson2012.com''</ref><ref name="foxnewshannity">{{cite news| url= https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/penn-jillette-speaks-out-on-the-role-of-government/| title= Penn Jillette speaks out on the role of government| work= Hannity| publisher= Fox News| date= July 5, 2012| access-date= April 24, 2016| archive-date= May 8, 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160508163656/http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2012/07/05/penn-jillette-speaks-out-on-role-government/| url-status= live}}</ref> and 2016.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://reason.com/reasontv/2016/08/02/penn-jillette-on-libertarianism-election| title=Penn Jillette on Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Why He's All in on Gary Johnson| work=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]| access-date=March 11, 2017| archive-date=March 12, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312060825/http://reason.com/reasontv/2016/08/02/penn-jillette-on-libertarianism-election| url-status=live}}</ref> However, he participated in [[Vote pairing|vote swapping]] in 2016 by voting for Democratic nominee [[Hillary Clinton]] in the swing state of Nevada, in exchange for "10 or 11" of his friends promising to vote for Johnson in [[blue state]]s like California and New York.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywood-stars-are-voting-third-party-candidates-944954|title=Which Hollywood Stars are Voting for Third-Party Candidates?|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 8, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2019}}</ref>


In 2020, Jillette distanced himself from aspects of libertarianism, particularly surrounding [[COVID-19]]. In an interview with [[Big Think]], he stated, "[A] lot of the illusions that I held dear, rugged individualism, individual freedoms, are coming back to bite us in the ass." He went on to elaborate, "[I]t seems like getting rid of the gatekeepers gave us [[Donald Trump|Trump]] as president, and in the same breath, in the same wind, gave us not wearing masks, and maybe gave us a huge unpleasant amount of overt racism."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/BigThinkdotcom/videos/penn-jillette-the-year-that-broke-americas-illusions-big-think-edge/906341269865001/|title=Penn Jillette: The year that broke America's illusions &#124; Big Think Edge &#124; Penn Jillette The Year That Broke Our Illusions Moderated by Victoria Montgomery-Brown, co-founder and CEO of Big Think The year 2020 will go down in... &#124; By Big Think &#124; Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=February 21, 2021|archive-date=May 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512021801/https://www.facebook.com/BigThinkdotcom/videos/penn-jillette-the-year-that-broke-americas-illusions-big-think-edge/906341269865001/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Filmography===


In a 2024 interview, he said he renounced his libertarianism as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] after a libertarian group asked him to speak at an [[anti-mask]] rally. "The fact they sent me this email is something I need to be very ashamed of, and I need to change" adding "Many times when I identified as Libertarian, people said to me, 'It’s just rich white guys that don’t want to be told what to do,' and I had a zillion answers to that — and now that seems 100 percent accurate."<ref name="cr-23jan2024" />
* ''[[Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder]]'' (2009)

* ''The Growth'' (2009)
In the [[2020 United States presidential election]], Jillette endorsed [[Andrew Yang]] in the [[2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries|Democratic primary]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why does Andrew Yang have the coolest celebrity endorsements?|url=https://spectator.us/topic/andrew-yang-coolest-celebrity-endorsements/|access-date=2021-02-21|website=The Spectator - news, politics, life & arts|date=January 10, 2020|language=en-US|archive-date=August 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824010430/https://thespectator.com/uncategorized/andrew-yang-coolest-celebrity-endorsements/|url-status=live}}</ref> In an op-ed for [[CNN]] after that year's [[general election]], he stated that he "used to identify as Libertarian", but voted for [[Joe Biden]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Opinion: After bitterly divided election, what's next for America|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/09/opinions/post-election-roundup-what-now-america-opinion/index.html|access-date=2021-02-21|website=CNN|date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007174256/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/09/opinions/post-election-roundup-what-now-america-opinion/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In a January 2024 interview, he stated regarding the upcoming [[2024 United States presidential election|presidential election]]: "I'm going to vote Democrat, maybe that's all you need to know. I will not vote for a third-party candidate."<ref name="cr-23jan2024">{{cite news |last1=Grierson |first1=Tim |title=Penn Jillette Wants to Talk It All Out |url=https://www.cracked.com/article_40871_penn-jillette-wants-to-talk-it-all-out.html |access-date=January 24, 2024 |work=[[Cracked.com|Cracked]] |date=January 23, 2024}}</ref>
* ''[[The Aristocrats (film)|The Aristocrats]]'' (2005)

* ''[[Michael Moore Hates America]]'' (2004)
==Appearances==
* ''[[Fantasia 2000]]'' (2000)- Himself
{{div col}}
* ''[[Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (film)|Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas]]'' (1998)

* ''[[Toy Story]]'' (1995)
=== Filmography ===
* ''[[Hackers (film)|Hackers]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Car 54, Where Are You? (film)|Car 54, Where Are You?]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Savage Island (film)|Savage Island]]'' (1985)
* ''[[The Residents]]: [[Twenty Twisted Questions]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Off Beat (1986 film)|Off Beat]]'' (1985)
* ''Half Japanese – The Band That Would Be King'' (1991)
* ''[[Penn & Teller Get Killed]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Gandahar (film)|Gandahar]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Tough Guys Don't Dance (film)|Tough Guys Don't Dance]]'' (1987)
* ''[[My Chauffeur]]'' (1986)
* ''[[My Chauffeur]]'' (1986)
*''[[Off Beat (1986 film)|Off Beat]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Tough Guys Don't Dance (film)|Tough Guys Don't Dance]]'' (1987)
* ''Savage Island'' (1985)
* ''Invisible Thread'' (1987)
* ''[[Gandahar (film)|Gandahar]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Penn & Teller Get Killed]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Half Japanese – The Band That Would Be King]]'' (1991)
* ''[[The Residents]]: [[Twenty Twisted Questions]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Car 54, Where Are You? (film)|Car 54, Where Are You?]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Hackers (film)|Hackers]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Toy Story]]'' (1995) – Buzz Lightyear TV commercial announcer
* ''[[Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (film)|Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Fantasia 2000]]'' (1999) – Himself
* ''[[Michael Moore Hates America]]'' (2004)
* ''[[The Aristocrats (film)|The Aristocrats]]'' (2005)
* ''[[¡Mucha Lucha!]]: The Return of El Maléfico''<ref>IMDB: [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443590/ Mucha Lucha: The Return of El Maléfico] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209012701/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443590/ |date=February 9, 2017 }}</ref> – Himself, Fortune Teller, Ticket Man, Pawn Shop Owner (2005)
* ''[[The Growth]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Tim's Vermeer]]'' (2013) – Himself
* ''[[An Honest Liar]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Theory of Obscurity: a film about The Residents]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Director's Cut (film)|Director's Cut]]'' (2016)
* ''[[The Grounds]]'' (2016)
* ''J.R. ‘Bob’ Dobbs and the Church of the SubGenius'' (2019) – Himself<ref name="auto"/>
* ''[[Marty Supreme]]'' (Upcoming film)


===Television===
===Television===
* ''[[Penn & Teller Go Public]]'' (1985) TV program produced by Community Television of Southern California and aired on [[Public Television]] stations.

* ''[[Miami Vice]]''
* ''[[Miami Vice]]''
** "Prodigal Son" (1985) TV episode ... Jimmy Borges
** ''[[List of Miami Vice episodes#Season 2 (1985–86)|The Prodigal Son]]'' (1985) TV episode ... Jimmy Borges
* ''[[Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman]]''
* ''[[Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman]]''
** "Illusions of Grandeur" (1 episode, 1994) ... Romick
** ''[[Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman season 1#Episodes|Illusions of Grandeur]]'' (1 episode, 1994) ... Darrin Romick
* ''[[VR 5]]''
* ''[[VR.5]]''
** "Pilot" (1 episode, 1995) ... Mr.Orwell Kravitz
** ''[[VR.5#Episodes|Pilot]]'' (1 episode, 1995) ... Mr. Orwell Kravitz
* ''[[Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]''
** ''[[$20.01]]'' (1 episode, 1996) ... Himself
* ''[[Friends]]''
* ''[[Friends]]''
** "The One With the Cuffs" (1 episode, 1997) ... Encyclopedia Salesman
** ''[[The One with the Cuffs]]'' (1 episode, 1997) ... Encyclopedia Salesman
* ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''
* ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''
** "See Drew Run" (1997) TV episode ... Archibald Fenn
** ''[[See Drew Run]]'' (1997) TV episode ... Archibald Fenn
** "Drew Meets Lawyers" (1995) TV episode ... Archibald Fenn
** ''[[Drew Meets Lawyers]]'' (1995) TV episode ... Archibald Fenn
* ''[[Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (TV series)|Sabrina The Teenage Witch]]''
* ''[[Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 TV series)|Sabrina the Teenage Witch]]''
** "First Kiss" (1997) TV episode .... Drell
** ''[[List of Sabrina the Teenage Witch episodes#ep17|First Kiss]]'' (1997) TV episode .... Drell
** "Jenny's Non-Dream" (1997) TV episode ... Drell
** ''[[List of Sabrina the Teenage Witch episodes#Season 1 (1996–1997)|Jenny's Non-Dream]]'' (1997) TV episode ... Drell
** "Terrible Things" (1996) TV episode ... Drell
** ''[[List of Sabrina the Teenage Witch episodes#Season 1 (1996–1997)|Terrible Things]]'' (1996) TV episode ... Drell
** "Pilot" (1996) TV episode ... Drell
** ''[[List of Sabrina the Teenage Witch episodes#Season 1 (1996–1997)|Pilot]]'' (1996) TV episode ... Drell
* ''[[Nightmare Ned]]''
** ''[[Nightmare Ned#Episodes|Lucky Abe]]'' (1997) TV episode ... Frank Grimes
* ''[[Babylon 5]]''
* ''[[Babylon 5]]''
** "[[Day of the Dead (Babylon 5)|Day of the Dead]]" (1998) TV episode ... Rebo
** ''[[Day of the Dead (Babylon 5)|Day of the Dead]]'' (1998) TV episode ... Rebo
* ''[[Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular]]'' 1998–99
* ''[[Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular]]'' 1998–99
* "[[Hollywood Squares]]" (1999–2004) regular
* ''[[Hollywood Squares]]'' (1998–2004) regular
* ''[[The Simpsons]]''
* ''[[The Simpsons]]''
** "[[Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder]]"
** ''[[Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder]]''
** "[[The Great Simpsina]]" (2 episodes, 1999, 2011) ... himself
** ''[[The Great Simpsina]]'' (2 episodes, 1999, 2011) ... himself
* ''[[Dharma & Greg]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Dharma & Greg]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Just Shoot Me]]''
* ''[[Just Shoot Me]]''
** "The Proposal, Part 2" (2001) TV episode ... Terry
** ''[[List of Just Shoot Me! episodes#Season 5 (2000–01)|The Proposal, Part 2]]'' (2001) TV episode ... Terry
* ''[[The West Wing (TV series)|The West Wing]]''
* ''[[The West Wing (TV series)|The West Wing]]''
** "[[In the Room]]" (2004) ... himself
** ''[[In the Room (The West Wing)|In the Room]]'' (2004) ... himself
* ''[[Penn & Teller: Bullshit!]]'' (2003–2010)
* ''[[Penn & Teller: Bullshit!]]'' (2003–2010)
* ''[[The Moxy Show]]'' (original voice of Flea; later replaced by an unidentified actor in some episodes)
* ''[[The Moxy Show]]'' (original voice of Flea; replaced by [[Chris Rock]] for ''The Moxy & Flea Show''{{'s}} sole episode)
* ''[[Identity (game show)|Identity]]'' (premiered in December 2006); returned on March 16, 2008 on NBC and will air for seven weeks every Friday at 8&nbsp;pm [[Eastern Time Zone|ET]].<ref name="pittsburghlive" />
* ''[[Identity (game show)|Identity]]'' (2006–2007)<ref name="pittsburghlive" />
* ''[[Real Time with Bill Maher]]'' (2006) TV episode ... himself
* ''[[Real Time with Bill Maher]]'' (2006) TV episode ... himself
* ''[[World Series of Poker]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]'' (2008) ... himself<ref name="Bruno">
* ''[[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]'' (2008) ... himself<ref name="Bruno">{{cite magazine| first = Mike| last = Bruno| url = https://ew.com/article/2008/02/19/dancing-stars-announces-lineup/| title = 'Dancing With the Stars' Announces Lineup|magazine=Entertainment Weekly| date = February 19, 2008| access-date = February 19, 2008}}</ref>
{{cite news
| first = Mike
| last = Bruno
| url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20178686,00.html
| title = 'Dancing With the Stars' Announces Lineup
|work=Entertainment Weekly
| date = February 19, 2008
| accessdate = 2008-02-19
}}</ref>
* ''[[Numb3rs]]''
* ''[[Numb3rs]]''
** "Magic Show" (2008) TV episode ... himself
** ''[[Numbers season 5#Episodes|Magic Show]]'' (2008) TV episode ... himself
* ''"Glenn Beck" (Fox News)
* ''[[Glenn Beck Program|Glenn Beck]]'' (Fox News)
* ''[[Handy Manny]]''
* ''[[Handy Manny]]''
** "Halloween/Squeeze's Magic Show" (2008) TV episode ... Magic Marty
** ''[[List of Handy Manny episodes#Season 1 (2006–2007)|Halloween/Squeeze's Magic Show]]'' (2008) TV episode ... Magic Marty
* ''Penn & Teller Go Public'' (1985) TV program produced by Community Television of Southern California and aired on [[Public Television]] stations.
* ''[[The Defenders (2010 TV series)|The Defenders]]''
* ''[[The Defenders (2010 TV series)|The Defenders]]''
** "Whitten v. Fenlee" (2010) TV episode ... Ruben Charters
** ''[[The Defenders (2010 TV series)#Episodes|Whitten v. Fenlee]]'' (2010) TV episode ... Ruben Charters
* [[Fetch with Ruff Ruffman]]
* ''[[Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman]]''
** "You Can't Teach an Orange Dog New Tricks" (2009) TV episode...Himself
** ''[[List of Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman episodes#Season 5 (2010)|You Can't Teach an Orange Dog New Tricks]]'' (2009) TV episode...Himself
* ''[[Penn & Teller: Fool Us]]'' (35+ episodes, 2011, 2015–)<ref>{{cite web |title='America's Next Top Model', 'Penn & Teller: Fool Us' + 'Masters of Illusion' Renewed by the CW for New Seasons |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/11/17/americas-next-top-model-penn-teller-fool-us-masters-of-illusion-renewed-by-the-cw-for-new-seasons/328704/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119190201/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/11/17/americas-next-top-model-penn-teller-fool-us-masters-of-illusion-renewed-by-the-cw-for-new-seasons/328704/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 19, 2014 |date=November 17, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Penn & Teller: Fool Us]] (2010–2011)<ref>{{cite web|title=Penn & Teller: Fool Us on TV.com|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/penn-and-teller-fool-us/}}</ref>
* ''[[Real Time with Bill Maher]]'' (October 14, 2011) TV episode ... himself
* ''[[Real Time with Bill Maher]]'' (October 14, 2011) TV episode ... himself
* [[Penn & Teller Tell a Lie]] (2011)
* ''[[Penn & Teller Tell a Lie]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Celebrity Apprentice 5]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Celebrity Apprentice 5]]'' (2012)
* ''[[All-Star Celebrity Apprentice]]'' (2013)
* ''[[All-Star Celebrity Apprentice]]'' (2013)
* ''[[In Bed With Joan]]'' (2013) ... guest
* ''[[Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Chopped (TV series)|Chopped]] Tournament of Stars'' (2014)
* ''[[Wizard Wars]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Celebrity Wife Swap]]'' (2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/celebrity-wife-swap/episodes-season-3/1000482538/|title=Celebrity Wife Swap|website=TVGuide.com|access-date=May 12, 2023|archive-date=December 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201140008/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/celebrity-wife-swap-2014/episode-9-season-3/judy-goldpenn-jillette/339126/|url-status=live}}</ref> (July 1, 2014) TV episode ... himself
* ''[[Alpha House]]'' season 2 (2014) several TV episodes ... fictionalized version of himself
* ''[[Camp Stew]]'' (2014) ... hosting as himself
* ''[[Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series)|Hell's Kitchen]]'' (2014) ... himself
* ''[[Penn Jillette's Street Cred]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Info page on ''Penn Jillette's Street Cred''|url=http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/penn-jillettes-street-cred|work=TravelChannel.com|access-date=December 5, 2014|archive-date=December 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207155445/http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/penn-jillettes-street-cred|url-status=live}}</ref> (1+ episodes, 2014–) ... himself
* ''[[Deal with It (TV series)|Deal with It]]'' episode 3.7 (2014) ... himself
* ''[[Modern Family]]'' season 6 (2015)
* ''[[King of the Nerds]]'' (2015) ... himself
* ''[[Celebrity Jeopardy]]'' (2015) ... himself
* ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]'' (July 6, 2015) TV episode ... He and Teller appeared as special guests<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20150617cw02/ | title= Episode 46: Penn & Teller | website= The Futon Critic | date= 2015 | access-date= July 23, 2015 | archive-date= August 24, 2023 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230824020516/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20150617cw02/ | url-status= live }}</ref>
* ''[[Scorpion (TV series)|Scorpion]]'' (2016) episodes 2.16, 2.17, 3.19 and 4.20 ... Dr. Cecil P. Rizzuto
* ''[[Billions (TV series)|Billions]]'', episode 1x02: Naming Rights (2016) ... himself
* ''[[The Eric Andre Show]]'' Season 4 (2016) ... himself
* ''[[Code Black (TV series)|Code Black]]'' Season 2 (2016) ... Johnny Prentiss
* ''[[Black Mirror]]'', episode "[[Black Museum (Black Mirror)|Black Museum]]" (2017), credited with story idea based on Jillette's "The Pain Addict"<ref>{{cite web | url = http://heavy.com/entertainment/2017/12/penn-jilette-pain-addict-black-mirror-museum-buy/ | title = 'Black Mirror': All About Penn Jillette's Pain Addict | first = Stephanie Dube | last = Dwilson | date = December 29, 2017 | access-date = January 1, 2018 | work = [[Heavy.com]] | archive-date = January 2, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073222/http://heavy.com/entertainment/2017/12/penn-jilette-pain-addict-black-mirror-museum-buy/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
* ''[[The Late Show with Ewen Cameron]]'' (2017) ... himself with [[Teller (magician)|Teller]]
* ''[[Crashing (U.S. TV series)|Crashing]]'' (TV series) Season 2, Episode 1 (2018) ... himself
* ''[[The Grand Tour]]'' (2018) Series 2, Episode 9 ... himself with Teller
* ''[[Ridiculousness (TV series)|Ridiculousness]]'' (2019) Season 13, Episode 27 ... himself
* ''[[Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?]] '' (2019) Season 1, Episode 8 ... himself with Teller
* ''[[The Masked Singer (American TV series)|The Masked Singer]]'' (2022) ... Hydra, himself with Teller
* ''[[Britain's Got Talent|Britain's Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician]]'' (2022) … Judge, Himself

=== Video games ===
* ''[[Penn & Teller's Smoke and Mirrors]]'' (unreleased) ... Himself
* ''[[Steven Spielberg's Director's Chair]]'' (1996) ... Himself
* ''[[Borderlands 3]]'' (2019) ... Pain (Voice/Appearance)
* ''Penn & Teller VR: Frankly Unfair, Unkind, Unnecessary & Underhanded'' (2019) ... Himself
{{div col end}}


==Music videos==
==Music videos==
* [[Ramones]] – "[[Something to Believe In (Ramones song)|Something to Believe In]]" (1986)
* Penn Jillette – "Clay Aiken by Penn Jillette"
* [[Adil Omar]] – "Star Power"
* [[Run–D.M.C.]] – "[[It's Tricky]]" (1987)
* [[Katy Perry]] – "[[Waking Up in Vegas]]"
* [[Too Much Joy]] – "[[Mutiny (Too Much Joy album)|Donna Everywhere]]" (1992)
* [[Ramones]] – "Something to Believe In"
* [[Katy Perry]] – "[[Waking Up in Vegas]]" (2009)
* [[Rascal Flatts]] – "Why Wait"
* [[Rascal Flatts]] – "[[Why Wait (song)|Why Wait]]" (2010)
* [[Run D.M.C.]] – "[[It's Tricky]]"
* Penn Jillette – "[[Clay Aiken]]" (2012)
* [[Too Much Joy]] – "Donna Everywhere"


===Music===
==Music==
* ''[[Ralph Records]] 10th Anniversary Radio Special!'' (1982) by Various / Penn Jillette<ref name="youtube">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUcZTebAdBg | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/aUcZTebAdBg| archive-date=2017-01-06 | url-status=live|title=Various / Penn Jillette – Ralph Records 10th Anniversary Radio Special!|website=YouTube| date=January 6, 2017|access-date=January 7, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* "Spookshow" by [[Adil Omar]]
* ''[[Captain Howdy (band)|Captain Howdy]]'', a band which consisted of Jillette and [[Kramer (musician)|Mark Kramer]], released:
* "The Horse You Rode In On" by [[Pigface]]
** ''The Best Song Ever Written'' (single, 1993)
** ''Tattoo of Blood'' (album, 1994)
** ''Money Feeds My Music Machine'' (album, 1997)
* ''Bongos, Bass and Bob'', a band which consisted of Jillette, Rob Elk and Dean J. Seal, released:
** ''Never Mind the Sex Pistols, Here's Bongos Bass and Bob! (What on Earth Were They Thinking?)'' (album, 1988)
* ''The Horse You Rode In On'' by [[Pigface]]
* ''The Show Before the Show'', a live jazz duo recording performed by Jillette and pianist Mike Jones at the [[Rio Las Vegas]] (album, 2018)
* ''Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You’re Doing?'' with [[Mike Jones (jazz musician)|Mike Jones]] and [[Jeff Hamilton (drummer)|Jeff Hamilton]] on [[Capri Records (Jazz record label)|Capri Records]] (album, 2023)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Giles |first1=Kim |title=Mike Jones, Penn Jillette, Jeff Hamilton – Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You're Doing? – Capri Records |url=https://newworldnjazz.com/mike-jones-penn-jillette-jeff-hamilton-are-you-sure-you-three-guys-know-what-youre-doing-capri-records/ |website=New World 'n' Jazz |access-date=24 August 2023 |date=31 July 2023 |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824010520/https://newworldnjazz.com/mike-jones-penn-jillette-jeff-hamilton-are-you-sure-you-three-guys-know-what-youre-doing-capri-records/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Bibliography==
==Books by Jillette==
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn | title= [[Random: A Novel]]|
location=New York | publisher=[[Akashic books]]| year=2022 | isbn=978-1636140711 }}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn | title= [[Presto!: How I Made Over 100 Pounds Disappear and Other Magical Tales]]| location=New York | publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]| year=2016 | isbn= 978-1501140181 }}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn | title= [[Every Day is an Atheist Holiday!: More Magical Tales from the Author of God, No!]]
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn | title= [[Every Day is an Atheist Holiday!: More Magical Tales from the Author of God, No!]]
| location=New York | publisher=Blue Rider Press| year=2012 | isbn= 978-0-3991-6156-8}}
| location=New York | publisher=Blue Rider Press| year=2012 | isbn= 978-0-3991-6156-8}}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn | title= [[God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales]]
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn | title= [[God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales]]
| location=New York | publisher=Simon & Schuster| year=2011 | isbn= 978-1-4516-1036-9}}
| location=New York | publisher=Simon & Schuster| year=2011 | isbn= 978-1-4516-1036-9}}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn | title=[[Sock (novel)|Sock]] | location=New York | publisher=St. Martin’s Griffin | year=2004 | isbn=0-312-32805-2}}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn | title=How to Cheat Your Friends at Poker: The Wisdom of Dickie Richard | url=https://archive.org/details/howtocheatyourfr00jill | url-access=registration | location=New York | publisher=St. Martin's Press | year=2005 | isbn=0-312-36068-1 }}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn | title=How to Cheat Your Friends at Poker: The Wisdom of Dickie Richard | location=New York | publisher=St. Martin’s Press | year=2005 | isbn=0-312-36068-1 }}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn | title=Sock | location=New York | publisher=St. Martin's Griffin | year=2004 | isbn=0-312-32805-2 | url=https://archive.org/details/sockjill00jill }}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn | title=Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends | location=New York | publisher=Villard | year=1989 | isbn=0-394-75351-8 }}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn and [[Teller (magician)|Teller]] | title=Penn and Teller's How to Play in Traffic | publisher=Berkley Trade | year=1997 | isbn=1-57297-293-9 | url=https://archive.org/details/penntellershowto00jill }}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn and [[Teller (magician)|Teller]] | title=Penn and Teller's How to Play with Your Food | location=New York | publisher=Villard | year=1992 | isbn=0-679-74311-1 }}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn and [[Teller (magician)|Teller]] | title=Penn and Teller's How to Play with Your Food | location=New York | publisher=Villard | year=1992 | isbn=0-679-74311-1 | url=https://archive.org/details/penntellershowto00penn }}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn and [[Teller (magician)|Teller]] | title=Penn and Teller's How to Play In Traffic | publisher=Berkley Trade | year=1997 | isbn=1-57297-293-9 }}
* {{cite book | author=Jillette, Penn | title=[[Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends]] | location=New York | publisher=Villard | year=1989 | isbn=0-394-75351-8 }}


==Podcasts==
==Podcasts==
*''Penn Radio'' (January 2006 – March 2007), radioshow that was also podcasted
* "Penn Point" on Revision3.com
* "Penn Says" on Crackle.com
*''[[Penn Says]]'' (January 2008 – April 2010), videolog on [[Crackle.com]]
*''[https://www.youtube.com/user/pennpoint Penn Point]'' (May 2010 – October 2011), videolog on [[Revision3.com]]
* "Penn's Sunday School" at [http://pennsundayschool.com/ pennsundayschool.com]
*''[[Penn's Sunday School]]'' (February 2012 – present) at [http://pennsundayschool.com/ pennsundayschool.com]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|35em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Penn Jillette}}
{{Sister project links|n=no|b=no|v=no|wikt=no}}
* {{Wikiquote-inline|Penn Jillette}}
* [http://www.pennandteller.com/ Penn & Teller's official website]
* {{Official website|http://www.pennandteller.com|Penn & Teller official website}}
* {{IBDB name|id=8088|name= Penn Jillette}}
* {{IMDb name|422710|Penn Jillette}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{IMDb name|422710}}
* {{Discogs artist}}


{{Penn & Teller}}
{{Penn & Teller}}
{{Famous Magicians}}
{{Revision3}}
{{Revision3}}
{{Pigface}}
{{Dancing with the Stars Season 6}}
{{Authority control}}
{{The Celebrity Apprentice Season 5}}
{{The Celebrity Apprentice Season 6}}


{{Authority control|LCCN=n/88/022465|VIAF=107009659}}

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Jillette, Penn
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American magician
| DATE OF BIRTH = March 5, 1955
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Greenfield, Massachusetts|Greenfield]], Massachusetts, U.S.
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jillette, Penn}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jillette, Penn}}
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century atheists]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American novelists]]
[[Category:21st-century American novelists]]
[[Category:Actors from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:21st-century atheists]]
[[Category:American atheism activists]]
[[Category:American writers on atheism]]
[[Category:American atheists]]
[[Category:American atheists]]
[[Category:American bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American film actors]]
[[Category:American game show hosts]]
[[Category:American game show hosts]]
[[Category:American humanists]]
[[Category:American humanists]]
[[Category:American libertarians]]
[[Category:American magicians]]
[[Category:American magicians]]
[[Category:American podcasters]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male novelists]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:American skeptics]]
[[Category:American skeptics]]
[[Category:American talk radio hosts]]
[[Category:American talk radio hosts]]
[[Category:American television actors]]
[[Category:Cato Institute people]]
[[Category:Anarcho-capitalists]]
[[Category:American critics of alternative medicine]]
[[Category:Atheism activists]]
[[Category:American critics of creationism]]
[[Category:Critics of religions]]
[[Category:Judges in American reality television series]]
[[Category:Dancing with the Stars (U.S. TV series) participants]]
[[Category:Drug policy reform activists]]
[[Category:Gun rights advocates]]
[[Category:Jugglers]]
[[Category:Jugglers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Massachusetts Libertarians]]
[[Category:Members of the Libertarian Party (United States)]]
[[Category:Nevada Libertarians]]
[[Category:Objectivists]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Greenfield, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:People from Greenfield, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:People from the Las Vegas Valley]]
[[Category:Pigface members]]
[[Category:Pigface members]]
[[Category:Professional magicians]]
[[Category:The Apprentice contestants]]
[[Category:The Apprentice (U.S. TV series) contestants]]
[[Category:Writers about religion and science]]
[[Category:Writers from Massachusetts]]

Latest revision as of 04:37, 23 November 2024

Penn Jillette
Jillette at the Young Americans for Liberty National Convention in 2016
Born
Penn Fraser Jillette

(1955-03-05) March 5, 1955 (age 69)
EducationRingling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College
Occupations
Years active1974–present
Known forHalf of the comedy magic duo known as Penn & Teller
Height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)[1]
SpouseEmily Zolten
Children2
Websitepennandteller.com
Notes

Penn Fraser Jillette (born March 5, 1955) is an American magician, actor, musician, inventor, television presenter, and author, best known for his work with fellow magician Teller as half of the team Penn & Teller. The duo has been featured in numerous stage and television shows, such as Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Penn & Teller: Bullshit!, and is as of 2024 headlining in Las Vegas at The Rio. Jillette serves as the act's orator and raconteur.

Jillette has published eight books, including the New York Times Bestseller, God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales. He is also known for his advocacy of atheism, scientific skepticism, the First Amendment, as well as previously identifying as a libertarian, a position he disavowed in 2020.

Early life

[edit]

Jillette was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts. His mother, Valda Rudolph Jillette (née Parks; 1909–2000),[2] was a secretary, and his father, Samuel Herbert Jillette (1912–1999),[2] worked at Greenfield's Franklin County Jail.[3][4][5] Jillette became an atheist in his early teens after reading the Bible. He was subsequently asked to leave the church, after asking questions in a youth group that purportedly also made skeptics of his peers.[6] Jillette became disenchanted with traditional illusionist acts that presented the craft as authentic magic, such as The Amazing Kreskin on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. At age eighteen, he saw a show by illusionist James Randi, and became enamored of his approach to magic that openly acknowledged deception as entertainment rather than a mysterious supernatural power. Jillette regularly acknowledges Randi as the one person on the planet he loved the most besides members of his family.[7]

Jillette worked with high school classmate Michael Moschen in developing and performing a juggling act during the years immediately following their 1973 graduation.[5] In 1973, Jillette graduated from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College.[8] In 1974, he was introduced to Teller by Weir Chrisemer, a mutual friend.[9] The three then formed a three-person act called Asparagus Valley Cultural Society which played their first act together on August 19, 1975 at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, and later in San Francisco.[5] In 1981, he and Teller teamed up as Penn & Teller, and went on to do a successful Off Broadway and later Broadway theatre show called "Penn & Teller" that toured nationally.[5]

Career

[edit]
Penn & Teller in 2012

Jillette served as host and presenter of the first touring performance by avant-garde band the Residents in 1983. The performance (titled The Mole Show and based on their "Mole trilogy" of albums) featured Jillette coming out between songs telling long and intentionally pointless stories. The show was designed to appear to fall apart as it progressed; Jillette pretended to grow angrier with the crowd, and lighting effects and music would become increasingly chaotic, all building up to the point where he was dragged off stage and returned, handcuffed to a wheelchair, to deliver his last monologue. During one performance, an audience member assaulted Jillette while he was handcuffed to the wheelchair. In later years, Jillette would contribute to two documentary films about the Residents.

Jillette was a contributor to the now-defunct PC/Computing magazine, having a regular back-section column between 1990 and 1994.

Jillette was the primary voice announcer for the U.S.-based cable network Comedy Central in the 1990s through the early 2000s.[10][11]

In 1994, Jillette purchased a house in the Las Vegas Valley and dubbed it "The Slammer".[12] It has been featured in dozens of television shows and articles and was designed by his friend Colin Summers. He formerly recorded music there, and conducted his radio show at the studio inside "The Slammer".[13][14] In 2016, he sold "The Slammer" so that his family could move to a less remote location.[15]

Starting in 1996, Jillette had a recurring role on Sabrina the Teenage Witch as Drell, the head of the Witches' Council. He and Teller both appeared in the pilot with Debbie Harry as the third member of the Council. The show was created by Jillette's friend Nell Scovell.

For a brief time in 1997, Jillette wrote bi-weekly dispatches for the search engine Excite.com. Each column ended with a pithy comment identifying which of the Penn & Teller duo he was. (For example: "Penn Jillette is the half of Penn & Teller that's detained at airports.") Jillette made a habit of linking many words in his online column to wacky sites that generally had nothing to do with the actual words. The columns are no longer available on the current Excite.com site, but have been republished with permission at PennAndTeller.com.[16]

Starting in 2003, Jillette, along with Teller, began producing and hosting the show Penn & Teller: Bullshit! on Showtime. In the show, the two analyze cultural phenomena, debunk myths, criticize people and aspects of society they deem "bullshit".

In 2005 with actor Paul Provenza, Jillette co-produced and co-directed The Aristocrats, a documentary film tracing the life of an obscene joke known as "The Aristocrats". It principally consists of a variety of comedians telling their own versions of the joke.

From January 3, 2006, to March 2, 2007, Jillette hosted, along with fellow atheist, skeptic, and juggler Michael Goudeau, a live, hour-long radio talk show broadcast on Free FM. The show, Penn Radio, broadcast from his Vintage Nudes Studio in his Las Vegas home. The most notable recurring segment of the show was "Monkey Tuesday" and later "The Pull of the Weasel". On March 2, 2007, Jillette announced that he would no longer be doing his radio show. He stated that he is a "show biz wimp" and decided to stop doing the show so he could spend more time with his children.

During the 2006–07 television season, Jillette hosted the prime-time game show Identity on NBC.

In 2008, Jillette was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, paired with professional dancer Kym Johnson.[17]

During 2010–2011, Jillette did a bi-weekly show on Revision3 called Penn Point.[18]

On August 16, 2011, Jillette's book God, No! Signs You May Already Be An Atheist and Other Magical Tales was released and made the New York Times Best Sellers shortly after, in the week of August 28, in the 14th position.[19]

An avid upright bassist, Jillette frequently accompanies jazz pianist Mike Jones, who opens for the magician's Las Vegas show.[20] On March 16, 2018, Jones released a live jazz album with Jillette entitled The Show Before the Show which consisted of ten tracks played by the duo at the Rio Las Vegas. Jillette additionally performed at the famed Green Mill Cocktail Lounge to coincide with the album's debut.[21]

Jillette was one of the contestants on The Celebrity Apprentice season 5, beginning on February 19, 2012. He was fired from the show by Donald Trump during the Week 11 episode. Also on February 19, 2012, along with Michael Goudeau, he started the podcast Penn's Sunday School.

In 2013, he returned for the All-Star Celebrity Apprentice season, where he successfully made his way to the finale, raising $663,655 for the charity of his choice, Opportunity Village.[22] On April 5, 2013, Penn and Teller were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the live performance category. Their star, the 2,494th awarded, is near the star dedicated to Harry Houdini.[23] The following day they were recognized by the Magic Castle with the "Magicians of the Year" award.[23]

Penn credits magician and skeptical activist James Randi for his career. During an interview at TAM! 2012, Penn stated that "If not for Randi there would not be Penn & Teller as we are today."[24]: 1:40  He went on to say that "Outside of my family... no one is more important in my life. Randi is everything to me."[24]: 5:34 

Business ventures

[edit]
Jillette in 2007

50 Skidillion Watts

[edit]

From 1987 to 1989, Jillette provided financial support to David and Jad Fair of the art rock band Half Japanese for their record label 50 Skidillion Watts. This allowed the band to release the albums Music to Strip By, The Band That Would Be King and Charmed Life. When asked about his assistance Jillette said, "anybody who listens to Half Jap becomes a fan."[25]

Jill-Jet

[edit]

In July 1999, Jillette was granted U.S. patent 5,920,923 for the "Jill-Jet", a hot-tub jet specially angled for allowing a woman to masturbate against the water stream. The patent expired in September 2018. He has credited Debbie Harry of Blondie for suggesting the idea, as the two of them were once in a hot tub and Harry made a remark about changing the jets for a woman's pleasure. Jillette liked the idea enough to pursue a patent application at the USPTO under the patent title "Hydro-therapeutic Stimulator".[26]

The abstract of the patent explains that a "discharge nozzle is located within the tub and connected to the outlet, mounted to the seat so that the discharged water from the circulation pump automatically aligns with and is directed to stimulation points (e.g., the clitoris) of the female user when the female user sits in the seat." An article in the June 2006 issue of Playboy shed additional light on the invention. Originally, it was to be called the "ClitJet"; however, he stated that "Jill-Jet" was more suitable because it included his name in the title.

On the Penn Radio show, telling the listeners about the photo shoot for the Playboy article, Jillette mentioned that he has a Jill-Jet installed in a tub in his house, and that several of his female friends and friends' female spouses enjoy it a lot, but he is not aware of any other installations of a water jet in such a configuration anywhere else.

Vintage Nudes Studio

[edit]

Jillette created a private recording studio in his Las Vegas home.[27] The addition, designed by Outside The Lines Studio and built by Crisci Custom Builders between October 2003 and June 2004 as part of his Las Vegas home,[28] was named Vintage Nudes Studios by Jillette for playing cards that he had collected. The cards are displayed in the interior design in a manner which is meaningful to magicians.[29] The studio was home to Free FM's Penn Radio show, and was the home of the Penn's Sunday School stream and podcast until it was demolished in 2016, along with his former home, "The Slammer".[27][30][31]

Personal life

[edit]

Family

[edit]

Jillette is married to Emily Jillette, and they have two children: Zolten and Moxie CrimeFighter (who sometimes uses the name "Luka").[32]

Red fingernail

[edit]

Jillette has told multiple stories regarding the red fingernail on his left hand. In one, Jillette's mother told him to get a manicure because people would be looking at his hands. In response to this, he had all of his nails painted red as a joke.[33] Jillette has also claimed that the red fingernail provides excellent misdirection and is "just plain cool".[9]

In direct response to questions about his red fingernail, Penn has stated "People are asking about my fingernail. Wear my Dad's ring and my Mom's nail polish. Just for remembrance and respect."[34] On the podcast Skepticality in 2012, Jillette said that he was considering changing the meaning of the red nail polish, telling his child it is for them.[7]

Health

[edit]

Jillette says that he has an addictive personality[35] and claims to have never had "so much as a puff of marijuana or a drop of alcohol" because he does not trust himself to do it in moderation.[36]

In December 2014, Jillette's blood pressure caused him to be admitted to the hospital. By his birthday, March 5, 2015, he had lost 105 lb (48 kg). He follows Joel Fuhrman's nutritarian diet, which means that he eats little or no animal products, no processed grains, and no added sugar or salt.[37] Penn is featured in Eating You Alive, a 2016 American documentary about food and health.[38] In an interview with Big Think in 2020, Jillette said he is a vegan.[39]

Atheism

[edit]
Jillette in 2012 at The Amazing Meeting in Las Vegas

Jillette identifies as an atheist. His cars' license plates read "ATHEIST", "NOGOD" and "GODLESS".[40] "Strangely enough, they wouldn't give me 'INFIDEL,'" he said.[40]

In 2005, he wrote and read an essay for National Public Radio claiming that he was "beyond atheism,” stating “Atheism is not believing in God... I believe there is no God."[41] His atheism, he has explained, has informed every aspect of his life and thoughts, and as such is as crucial to him as theistic beliefs are to the devout. Jillette encourages open discussion, debate, and proselytizing on the issue of God's existence, believing that the issue is too important for opinions about it to remain private. Jillette does not dismiss all who do believe in God: in a 2008 edition of his Penn Says podcast, he expresses his appreciation for a fan who brought him the gift of a pocket Gideon Bible after a performance because he realized that this individual sincerely cared enough about him to try to help him.[42]

In January 2007, Jillette took the "Blasphemy Challenge" offered by the Rational Response Squad and publicly denied the existence of a holy spirit.[43]

Jillette appeared in the 2019 Church of the SubGenius film J.R. ‘Bob’ Dobbs and the Church of the SubGenius, where he spoke positively of the parody religion.[44]

Politics

[edit]

Jillette has previously identified as a libertarian, and stated in 2003 that he may consider himself an anarcho-capitalist.[45] He was a fellow at the libertarian think tank the Cato Institute.[46]

In 2008, Jillette stated that there is not enough information to make an informed decision on global warming, that his gut told him it was not real, but his mind said that he cannot prove it.[47] As of 2014, he has changed his position and now believes that climate change is occurring.[48]

He stated in 2008 that he "always" votes Libertarian,[46] and endorsed Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson for President in 2012[49][50][51] and 2016.[52] However, he participated in vote swapping in 2016 by voting for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the swing state of Nevada, in exchange for "10 or 11" of his friends promising to vote for Johnson in blue states like California and New York.[53]

In 2020, Jillette distanced himself from aspects of libertarianism, particularly surrounding COVID-19. In an interview with Big Think, he stated, "[A] lot of the illusions that I held dear, rugged individualism, individual freedoms, are coming back to bite us in the ass." He went on to elaborate, "[I]t seems like getting rid of the gatekeepers gave us Trump as president, and in the same breath, in the same wind, gave us not wearing masks, and maybe gave us a huge unpleasant amount of overt racism."[54]

In a 2024 interview, he said he renounced his libertarianism as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic after a libertarian group asked him to speak at an anti-mask rally. "The fact they sent me this email is something I need to be very ashamed of, and I need to change" adding "Many times when I identified as Libertarian, people said to me, 'It’s just rich white guys that don’t want to be told what to do,' and I had a zillion answers to that — and now that seems 100 percent accurate."[55]

In the 2020 United States presidential election, Jillette endorsed Andrew Yang in the Democratic primary.[56] In an op-ed for CNN after that year's general election, he stated that he "used to identify as Libertarian", but voted for Joe Biden.[57] In a January 2024 interview, he stated regarding the upcoming presidential election: "I'm going to vote Democrat, maybe that's all you need to know. I will not vote for a third-party candidate."[55]

Appearances

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Filmography

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Television

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Video games

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Music videos

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Music

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  • Ralph Records 10th Anniversary Radio Special! (1982) by Various / Penn Jillette[65]
  • Captain Howdy, a band which consisted of Jillette and Mark Kramer, released:
    • The Best Song Ever Written (single, 1993)
    • Tattoo of Blood (album, 1994)
    • Money Feeds My Music Machine (album, 1997)
  • Bongos, Bass and Bob, a band which consisted of Jillette, Rob Elk and Dean J. Seal, released:
    • Never Mind the Sex Pistols, Here's Bongos Bass and Bob! (What on Earth Were They Thinking?) (album, 1988)
  • The Horse You Rode In On by Pigface
  • The Show Before the Show, a live jazz duo recording performed by Jillette and pianist Mike Jones at the Rio Las Vegas (album, 2018)
  • Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You’re Doing? with Mike Jones and Jeff Hamilton on Capri Records (album, 2023)[66]

Bibliography

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  • Jillette, Penn (2022). Random: A Novel. New York: Akashic books. ISBN 978-1636140711.
  • Jillette, Penn (2016). Presto!: How I Made Over 100 Pounds Disappear and Other Magical Tales. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1501140181.
  • Jillette, Penn (2012). Every Day is an Atheist Holiday!: More Magical Tales from the Author of God, No!. New York: Blue Rider Press. ISBN 978-0-3991-6156-8.
  • Jillette, Penn (2011). God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4516-1036-9.
  • Jillette, Penn (2005). How to Cheat Your Friends at Poker: The Wisdom of Dickie Richard. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-36068-1.
  • Jillette, Penn (2004). Sock. New York: St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 0-312-32805-2.
  • Jillette, Penn and Teller (1997). Penn and Teller's How to Play in Traffic. Berkley Trade. ISBN 1-57297-293-9.
  • Jillette, Penn and Teller (1992). Penn and Teller's How to Play with Your Food. New York: Villard. ISBN 0-679-74311-1.
  • Jillette, Penn (1989). Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends. New York: Villard. ISBN 0-394-75351-8.

Podcasts

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References

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  1. ^ Kohut, Tania (August 3, 2016). "Penn Jillette credits potato diet for 100-pound weight loss". Global News. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Ancestry.com. Social Security Death Index [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011. Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.
  3. ^ Kelly, Kevin (December 7, 1986). "What you see, what you get". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
  4. ^ "News and Information from Greenfield, MA | the Recorder". www.recorder.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d Trillin, Calvin (May 15, 1989). "A couple of Eccentric Guys". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on January 14, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  6. ^ Shaffer, R (December 2012). "Morality, Religion and Bullsh*t: An Interview with Penn Jillette". Humanist Network News. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Derek Colanduno (November 27, 2012). "Jill-Jet: And The Magical Tale of Penn". Skepticality (Podcast). Skepticality. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  8. ^ Collins, Glenn (December 4, 1988). "Up to New Tricks". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Ferrel, Anne "Nita" (March 27, 2003). "Frequently Asked Questions About the Bad Boys of Magic..." PennAndTeller.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2008. Retrieved October 12, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ^ "Identity: Penn Jillette". NBC. Archived from the original on July 8, 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2008.
  11. ^ "Penn Jillette: Full Biography". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2008.
  12. ^ Tschorn, Adam (April 22, 2004). "Welcome to the Slammer". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  13. ^ "The Slammer". Outside The Lines Studio. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2007.
  14. ^ della Cava, Marco R. (October 29, 2004). "This is the manic magic house that Penn built". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 5, 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
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  21. ^ Reich, Howard (March 25, 2018). "Yes, magician Penn can play jazz bass and proves it at Green Mill". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
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  25. ^ "The Flip Side Of The Ever-flip Penn Jillette What Else Could The Magician Have In His Bag Of Tricks? Surprise! He Has A Record Label!". philly.com. February 17, 1989. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  26. ^ Jillette, Penn (July 13, 1999). ""Hydro-therapeutic Stimulator" (U.S. Patent 5,920,923)". USPTO Patent Full Text and Image Database. United States Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2007.
  27. ^ a b "Penn Jillette Detailed Biography". NetGlimse.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
  28. ^ "The Slammer: Vintage Nudes Studio". Outside The Lines. February 21, 2009. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
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  30. ^ "Outside The Lines Studio | Gallery.php?image=20040118". Otlstudio.com. February 21, 2009. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
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  32. ^ "Penn Jillette's kids Moxie CrimeFighter and Zolten laugh at 'god'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. March 19, 2014. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  33. ^ pennsays. "Painting My Fingernail". YouTube. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  34. ^ Jillette, Penn [@pennjillette] (April 28, 2013). "People are asking about my fingernail. Wear my Dad's ring and my Mom's nail polish. Just for remembrance and respect. #celebapprenticeMVP" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  35. ^ Jillette, Penn (August 18, 2015). "Penn Jillette". Here's the Thing (Interview). Interviewed by Alec Baldwin. WNYC. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  36. ^ War On Drugs. Penn And Teller's 'Bullshit!'. republished at YouTube.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2012.
  37. ^ "How Penn Jillette Lost 105 Lbs. — Without Magic!". People. April 8, 2015. Archived from the original on April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  38. ^ "Discover How Food May Be 'Eating You Alive' in Eye-Opening Documentary, Coming to U.S. Cinemas April 5 Only". prnewswire.com (Press release). PR Newswire Association, LLC. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  39. ^ "Penn Jillette: The year that broke America's illusions | Big Think Edge". YouTube. July 10, 2020. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021.
  40. ^ a b Wang, K.S. (June 1, 2009). "Celebrity Drive: Penn Jillette, Magician, Comedian, Host, Author". Motor Trend. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
  41. ^ "There Is No God". thisibelieve.org. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  42. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: natecalaway (February 28, 2009). "The Gift of A Bible". YouTube. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  43. ^ "Penn's Blasphemy". YouTube. March 29, 2007. Archived from the original on March 29, 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
  44. ^ a b Vognar, By Chris (March 11, 2019). "SXSW: An offbeat Texas 'Church' gets its close-up". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on October 16, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  45. ^ a b Steigerwald, Bill (May 24, 2003). "Dear graduates: Work for freedom". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2007.
  46. ^ a b Who's Getting Your Vote? Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Reason
  47. ^ PTBSonShowtime (June 1, 2008). "Penn & Teller Discuss The Being Green Episode". YouTube. Archived from the original on June 1, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  48. ^ Penn Jillette [@pennjillette] (March 24, 2014). "Um. I'm not a climate change denier. It seems certain that climate change is happening" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  49. ^ Jillette, Penn [@pennjillette] (May 16, 2012). "@OhioGaryJohnson @GovGaryJohnson I love Gary Johnson. He seems pretty perfect" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  50. ^ Penn Jillette's 2012 pick: Gary Johnson Archived June 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, garyjohnson2012.com
  51. ^ "Penn Jillette speaks out on the role of government". Hannity. Fox News. July 5, 2012. Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  52. ^ "Penn Jillette on Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Why He's All in on Gary Johnson". Reason. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  53. ^ "Which Hollywood Stars are Voting for Third-Party Candidates?". The Hollywood Reporter. November 8, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  54. ^ "Penn Jillette: The year that broke America's illusions | Big Think Edge | Penn Jillette The Year That Broke Our Illusions Moderated by Victoria Montgomery-Brown, co-founder and CEO of Big Think The year 2020 will go down in... | By Big Think | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  55. ^ a b Grierson, Tim (January 23, 2024). "Penn Jillette Wants to Talk It All Out". Cracked. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  56. ^ "Why does Andrew Yang have the coolest celebrity endorsements?". The Spectator - news, politics, life & arts. January 10, 2020. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  57. ^ "Opinion: After bitterly divided election, what's next for America". CNN. November 9, 2020. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  58. ^ IMDB: Mucha Lucha: The Return of El Maléfico Archived February 9, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
  59. ^ Bruno, Mike (February 19, 2008). "'Dancing With the Stars' Announces Lineup". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 19, 2008.
  60. ^ "'America's Next Top Model', 'Penn & Teller: Fool Us' + 'Masters of Illusion' Renewed by the CW for New Seasons". November 17, 2014. Archived from the original on November 19, 2014.
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  62. ^ "Info page on Penn Jillette's Street Cred". TravelChannel.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  63. ^ "Episode 46: Penn & Teller". The Futon Critic. 2015. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  64. ^ Dwilson, Stephanie Dube (December 29, 2017). "'Black Mirror': All About Penn Jillette's Pain Addict". Heavy.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  65. ^ "Various / Penn Jillette – Ralph Records 10th Anniversary Radio Special!". YouTube. January 6, 2017. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  66. ^ Giles, Kim (July 31, 2023). "Mike Jones, Penn Jillette, Jeff Hamilton – Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You're Doing? – Capri Records". New World 'n' Jazz. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
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